Italian women’s football can celebrate a historic agreement. Mercury/13 – an American fund that invests in women’s football clubs – has announced the acquisition of a controlling stake in Como Women, a professional club involved in the Women’s Serie A eBay.
This is the first acquisition made by Mercury/13 in Europe. The objective of the fund, led by Victoire Cogevina Reynal and Mario Malavé, is to create a multi-club group, acquiring the most promising women’s clubs in Europe and Latin America, with the aim of launching this sport globally and encouraging greater participation of women. port.
Mercury/13 decided to invest in Italy for its great football heritage, the vast potential for the development of women’s socceralong with the club’s iconic location.
Through close collaboration with the club’s staff and sports personnel, Mercury/13 aims to transform Como Women into one of Europe’s leading clubs, providing a supportive environment for players to develop their careers on and off the pitch.
Under the guidance of Mercury/13, Como Women aims to push towards wider recognition in women’s football by entering a new and fascinating chapter. The club’s rise from Serie C to the pinnacle of Italian professional women’s football is the result of the work of the club’s existing owners and a confirmation of the growing success of independent women’s clubs in Europe.
The club will continue to operate from its current structure and remain deeply rooted in the local communities of Seregno, Cislago and Como. Made up of a young squad of experienced and talented players, the team challenges renowned clubs such as AC Milan, Juventus and AS Roma in the Italian championship, with the aspiration to continue to improve with each new season.
Stefano Verga, who has led Como Women since its foundation, will remain President and shareholder, together with pre-existing owners Simone Verga, Manuela Colombo and Cristian Larghi. Mercury/13 co-founders and co-CEOs Victoire Cogevina Reynal and Mario Malavé will join the club’s board of directors.
“For years I have dreamed that this club gets what it deserves most. Since I met Victoire and Mario, I have been fascinated by their class and the vision they have in wanting to transform women’s football. It gave me a lot of joy to know that an international group was interested in Como to collaborate together on the path to the top of European football. I have had this dream in mind for many years, and I see in this project the opportunity to bring us all closer to the goal together. I am thrilled to have you in Como and expect great things from this union,” said Stefano Verga.
“We are incredibly excited about the opportunity to take this club to the next level and can’t wait to tap into the local communities and build this club with them, the new fans and the millions of international tourists who visit Lake Como every year. All of them will have a new reason to come and visit this coveted European destination: to follow and support women playing football at the highest level,” said Victoire Cogevina Reynal.
At the heart of this vision is the pursuit of strategic commercial partnerships that recognize the crucial role of women’s football in promoting gender equality on a global scale, with the intention of welcoming the other half of the globe to a sport that often excludes them.
“Through innovative partnerships with forward-thinking sponsors, we are determined to transform Como Women into a symbol of empowerment and celebration of women in Italy and beyond. Through football, we are confident that we can become a paradigm of success and an important example of what happens when society gives women the place and opportunities they deserve” commented Cogevina Reynal, also known for her activism with the United Nations and several non-profit organizations in the fight for gender equality.
“When we first met Mr. Verga, now our partner, we were immediately inspired by his journey and his ambition to take the club to new heights,” said Mario Malavé. “We have been impressed by the caliber of talent here (on and off the pitch) and are very excited to contribute to the growth of women’s football in Italy. This club was built with the support of incredible local partners who supported the team and helped them get to where they are today. We are happy to continue our partnerships with them into this next chapter of growth,” concluded Malavé.
Mercury/13 also confirmed the addition of new investors; former Spanish international Juan Mata. Mata played for Real Madrid, Valencia, Chelsea and Manchester United, where he won the Champions League and Europa League respectively, as well as becoming world champion in 2010 and European champion in 2012 with the Spanish national team.