Italian Serie A club Fiorentina and the global football community are mourning the death of Rocco B. Commisso, the club’s owner and founder of U.S. cable giant Mediacom, who passed away at the age of 76 after a period of illness.
Born in Marina di Gioiosa Ionica, Italy, Commisso moved to the United States at age 12. He later founded Mediacom Communications, which became one of the largest cable providers in the U.S.
A former collegiate soccer player at Columbia University, Commisso captained the team to its first NCAA playoff appearance and remained a passionate supporter of youth football.
Commisso purchased Fiorentina in 2019, investing in the club’s infrastructure, including the €120 million Viola Park training complex, and supporting the development of young players.
Under his ownership, Fiorentina reached two UEFA Europa Conference League finals and a Coppa Italia final, reinvigorating the club’s competitive profile.
READ ALSO: Ademola Lookman Stars as Atalanta Thrash Fiorentina 3-1
In a statement, Fiorentina expressed gratitude to all who supported Commisso in his final days. “A heartfelt thought goes to everyone at Fiorentina—staff, players, and employees—to the entire Viola community, and especially to the boys and girls who will continue to carry the Viola colours and the memory of our Rocco throughout Italy and the world,” the club said.
Commisso is survived by his wife, Catherine, their children Giuseppe and Marisa, and his sisters Italia and Raffaelina. Fiorentina emphasized that his memory would remain alive in the hearts of all who knew and worked with him.