Rocco Commisso, the American media entrepreneur and president of Italian Serie A club Fiorentina, has passed away at the age of 76, the club confirmed on Saturday.
Commisso, who was also the founder of Mediacom Communications—one of the largest cable television providers in the United States—previously owned the historic New York Cosmos football club. Born in Italy, he emigrated to the United States as a child and went on to build a successful business empire. Forbes estimated his net worth at approximately $5.9 billion.
In an official statement, Fiorentina announced the death of their president, expressing deep sorrow on behalf of the Commisso family and the wider football community.
“With profound pain and sadness, the Commisso family, together with his wife Catherine, children Giuseppe and Marisa, and sisters Italia and Raffaelina, announce the passing of President Rocco B. Commisso,” the statement read. “After a long period of medical treatment, our beloved President has left us. Today, we all mourn his loss.”
The club described Commisso as a devoted family man and a tireless worker whose passion for Fiorentina defined his final years. “His love for Fiorentina was the greatest gift he gave himself. He spent unforgettable moments with the youth teams, always offering kindness and encouragement. He worked relentlessly until his final days, dedicating himself to Mediacom, Fiorentina, and their future,” the statement added.
Tributes also poured in from across Italian football, with Serie A posting a message of condolence on X, expressing solidarity with the Commisso family and Fiorentina during the period of mourning.
Commisso acquired Fiorentina in 2019 and became deeply involved in the club’s long-term development. He invested heavily in infrastructure, most notably overseeing the construction of a €120 million state-of-the-art training centre. His ambition was to restore the Florence-based club to the glory it enjoyed in the 1950s and 1960s, when it won two Italian league titles and two European trophies.
Under his ownership, Fiorentina reached three major finals—the Coppa Italia in 2023 and the UEFA Europa Conference League finals in both 2023 and 2024—finishing runners-up on all three occasions. The club finished sixth in Serie A last season but has struggled in the current campaign and is presently in 18th place.
Beyond Italy, Commisso was also known for his ownership of the New York Cosmos, the former club of Brazilian legend Pelé, which he controlled from 2017 until 2025.
Fiorentina are scheduled to face Bologna in their next league fixture, while the club recently announced the appointment of Fabio Paratici as their new sporting director, a role he is set to assume on February 4.
Commisso’s death marks the end of a transformative era for Fiorentina, with his legacy firmly rooted in both the club’s modern infrastructure and its renewed presence on the European stage.
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