Mediacom announced the passing of its founder, chairman, and CEO, Rocco Commisso, at the age of 76. A representative revealed that he had been undergoing an extended period of medical treatment prior to his death.
Rocco Commisso founded Mediacom in 1995, transforming it into the fifth-largest cable provider in the United States, with more than 3 million customers across 22 states. Under his leadership, Mediacom was taken private in 2011, and it remains entirely owned by the Commisso family. For three consecutive years, from 2021 to 2025, the company was recognized as a U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private and the Wall Street Journal.
Beyond his accomplishments in the cable industry, Commisso made significant strides in the world of soccer. He acquired the New York Cosmos in 2017 and the prestigious ACF Fiorentina in 2019. His experiences as a sports team owner were highlighted in a 2023 CBS “60 Minutes” segment, where he humorously remarked that leading ACF Fiorentina came with more criticism than he received from his many communities in the U.S.
Mediacom paid tribute to Commisso as one of the most successful Italian immigrant entrepreneurs in America. Immigrating at the age of 12 from Calabria, Italy, he often reflected on his roots. Commisso completed his education at Columbia University on a fully-funded scholarship, earning both a BS in industrial engineering and an MBA. He played soccer for the Columbia Lions from 1967 to 1970, an experience that fueled his passion for sports.
In 2022, Commisso and his wife Catherine made a substantial contribution to Columbia, establishing The Rocco and Catherine Commisso Scholarship, which will support future students at the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science in perpetuity.
Before founding Mediacom, Commisso worked in the finance sector for a decade, including roles at Chase Manhattan Bank and the Royal Bank of Canada. He also played a pivotal role in Cablevision Industries Corporation as EVP, CFO, and director from 1986 until Mediacom’s inception in 1995.
His extensive contributions to the industry earned him several honors, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and induction into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, among others. Rocco Commisso leaves behind a legacy as a pioneering entrepreneur and philanthropist, whose contributions will be felt for years to come.