Rocco Commisso has had plenty of chances to get involved in professional soccer in his time: in Italy, England, Major League Soccer - even the New York Cosmos four years ago. It was only bad timing that prevented the Italian-American cable TV magnate from investing in the game that he played to All-Ivy League level at Columbia University.

But when the Mediacom boss was approached to take over the Cosmos last December - and prevent the iconic club from being shut down for good - it was an opportunity he simply could not refuse. On Thursday, Dec 15 - a day Commisso will always remember - he received a phone call from Jack Gaeta, the Cosmos manager of team operations, informing him of the club's critical state, something he had been aware of.