March 5 – Mercury 13, a women’s football multi-club ownership group, has acquired its first club with a controlling stake in Como, who play in Italy’s Serie A.
Led by Victoire Cogevina Reynal, a former vice president at OneFootball, and Mario Malave, the group has expressed ambitions for Como that stretch beyond Italy.
“Through innovative partnerships with forward-looking sponsors, we are determined to transform Como Women into a symbol of empowerment and celebration of women in Italy and beyond,” said Cogevina Reynal in a statement.
“Through football, we are confident we can become a paradigm of success and an important example of what happens when society gives women the place and the opportunities they deserve.”
Como has a tradition in the women’s game stretching back to the 90s, but in 2020 local businessman Stefano Verga acquired ASD Riozzese and registered the team as FC Como as the old club had failed to register for Serie B. They have been a top-flight club since 2022. Last season, Italian women’s football turned professional.
Verga will retain his role as club president and shareholder, alongside existing owners, while Cogevina Reynal and Malave will join the club’s board of directors.
“For years, I’ve dreamed of this club having what it truly deserves,” said Verga. “Since I met Victoire and Mario I’ve been fascinated by their vision and the determination they have to transform women’s football. It has brought me great joy and pride that a group with the calibre of talent of Mercury 13 has chosen us as their first investment.”
Last year, the Mercury group announced that they’d invest $100 million in the women’s game in both Europe and the Americas, seeking to capitalise on the surging interest in the game.
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