From Italy to America and vice versa. The splendid story of the new president of Fiorentina, Rocco Commisso, who emigrated to America with his family at 12 and returned to Italy as a hero.
Italy-America one-way trip ...
Very often in history the Italians have been forced to emigrate in America, looking for a job and stability for his family. There are many difficulties, both in adapting to a different culture, and in being accepted and integrated into another society. While many struggled, there were few individuals who managed to stand out and be appreciated, exporting a bit of Made in Italy overseas. That's right, Italians began to be known all over the world, exporting food, style, traditions and much else. Without ever forgetting their land.
Rocco Commisso, a success story
Among the many Italians who emigrated to America was the family of Rocco Commisso. From Marina di Gioiosa Jonica in Calabria to Pennsylvania at only 12 years old. Rocco began his entrepreneurial life with the first Italian-American disco: “Act III”. A short but intense adventure, since shortly after Rocco began to think bigger and bigger. Specifically in the cable TV sector, where he first worked as an executive and then founded his own company, La Mediacom, which through thick and thin managed to become a real power. Today, in fact, it is the fifth company in the sector, with a turnover of over 2 billion!
The passion for football
Commisso, who was passionate about football since he was a child, made this sport a priority even in his university years. In fact, he managed to obtain several scholarships and even came close to being called up to the 1972 Olympics with the USA team. But, even after his career as a footballer Rocco did not abandon football, on the contrary he dived into it with a new adventure as president of the legendary New York Cosmos team. An adventure that did not go very well, however, with Commisso who was unable to restore the Cosmos to the splendor of the past. But in all this, Italy?
The long-awaited return to Italy
"Some loves do not end, they make huge rounds and then come back" sang Antonello Venditti. And that's exactly how it went between Rocco and Italy! After being close to Roma and Milan, Commisso has finally found the right opportunity: the Fiorentina! A historic team, in a beautiful city and with a square to revive. And so here is the return to his beloved Italy, welcomed by an enthusiastic but very doubtful audience, especially after the less than optimal results of many foreigners at the head of Italian clubs. But Rocco is not a foreigner, is Italian, with an addition of “Americanity” that never hurts in the world of business and entertainment. In fact, Commisso, thanks to his calm but confident ways of doing things, immediately conquered the Fiorentina fans and beyond. Between interviews in Italian, with a beautiful mix of New York and Calabrian accent, and market hits like Ribery (complete with a great presentation), all of Italy immediately learned to appreciate Rocco!
Present and future, now in Italy
Now there Fiorentina despite the many changes, towards an apparently very rosy future, between young promises and targeted investments, such as the new stadium ever closer and the renewal of the sports center. All encouraging signs for Commisso and the Viola fans. A breath of air that was needed in Florence, and above all positive for all Italian football.
A return trip, a dream come true, an example for many.
This is how Rocco Commisso's emigration story could be summarized. One of the few Italians who managed to make their way in America, returning to Italy as a true hero. Rocco has realized a dream, now he is living his passion in the country he loves, without forgetting America that between work and love will always be part of his life. And this story is not just an Italian success story, but, an example for the many Italians forced to leave Italy, the children and grandchildren of Italian immigrants who hope to visit the beautiful country they have heard about in their family, with the dream of returning… whether it be for a week or forever.
