Rocco Commisso
Founder of Mediacom, owner of ACF Fiorentina football club
Rocco Commisso (born November 1, 1952) is an Italian-American billionaire entrepreneur and businessman who founded Mediacom Communications Corporation in 1995. Growing up in a working-class Italian-American family in New York, Commisso built a telecommunications empire that became one of the largest privately held companies in the United States. Mediacom grew to serve over 3 million customers across the country, making Commisso one of the most successful self-made billionaires in American business history. Beyond telecommunications, Commisso expanded his business interests into sports and entertainment, most notably acquiring majority ownership of ACF Fiorentina, one of Italy's most historic and respected football clubs, in 2019. His investment in Fiorentina reflected both his business acumen and his deep connection to his Italian heritage. Known for his hands-on management style and commitment to Italian-American success stories, Commisso has become a prominent figure in both American business and Italian sports. His philanthropic efforts have supported various causes, particularly benefiting Italian-American communities and cultural institutions.
Business & Industry
American
1952
Thinking about the name
Rocco
Italian origin
“An Italian name derived from the medieval Germanic Hrodger, meaning 'famous spear,' though in Italy it became strongly associated with Saint Rocco, the 14th-century plague saint revered across Southern Europe. Rocco carries both strength and spiritual significance, with a warm, earthy European charm. The name has maintained steady use across Italian and Spanish-speaking cultures for centuries.”