‘I Spent More Than $400 Million For Fiorentina,’
Mediacom CEO Rocco Commisso has spoken out against his critics
$430 million spent over four years: that’s how much American billionaire Rocco Commisso has invested into his beloved Serie A club, Fiorentina.
In a recent interview, the Mediacom owner took aim at critics who believe that Fiorentina isn’t spending enough to compete with Italy’s heavyweights like Juventus and AS Roma for UEFA Champions League (UCL) qualification.
“Whoever says I don't spend is crazy,” Commisso told the official ACF Fiorentina website. “From 2019 to June 2023, I spent more than $400 million for Fiorentina.”
Commisso’s takeover of La Viola ushered in a brave, new era in Florence. The 74-year-old took the reins with the club in 16th position following a chaotic 2018-19 season in which Vincenzo Montella replaced Stefano Pioli as manager. With Fiorentina struggling financially, and with performances on the field at their lowest since their promotion back up to Serie A in 2004, Commisso implemented his long-term strategy to guarantee self-sustainability.
“The accounts are in order, but it doesn't mean that we have to spend amounts that are outside of our means. Meanwhile, I continue to see clubs in debt," Commisso added.
Commisso, who has repeatedly spoken out against overspending clubs and their cheating, believes that smaller teams need to have the chance to dream. And as the waterfall of debt crashes down upon many of Serie A’s giants, Commisso is fortifying his empire season by season.
Federico Chiesa was sold to Juventus in 2019 with Dusan Vlahović following suit (a combined haul of $137 million), tantamount to the signings of Nicolás González, Jonathan Ikoné, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Christian Kouamé, Dodô, Mbala Nzola, Lucas Beltrán, Arthur Cabral and Igor - the latter pair sold at profit in 2023 to keep the cycle going.