Mercury 13 group makes first acquisition with Italian club Como Women

Mercury 13, a women's football multi-club ownership group led by sports entrepreneur Victoire Cogevina Reynal, unveiled their first portfolio team on Monday after acquiring a controlling stake in Como Women in Italy's Serie A.

The group includes former players include ex-England forward Eni Aluko, a former Aston Villa and Angel City sporting director, as well as ex-Italy keeper Arianna Criscione.

Luis Vicente, former FIFA Chief Innovation Officer, and Nancy Hensley, former Stats Perform Chief of Product and Marketing, are also a part of the group.

The group announced last year that it would invest $100 million in acquiring women's football clubs in Europe and Latin America.

Mercury 13 asserts that their goal is to transform Como into one of Europe's top clubs while also providing a nurturing environment for players to thrive both on and off the pitch.

"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," Cogevina Reynal said 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 have been involved in women's football since 1997, and a new club was formed in 2020 when they were unable to register for the Serie B championship, with local businessman Stefano Verga purchasing ASD Riozzese, which was later renamed FC Como Women.

They were promoted to Serie A in 2022 and remained in the top flight last season, the first season of professionalism in Italian women's football.

Como finished seventh in the first phase of the season, competing against many established Serie A men's clubs, including Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan, AS Roma, and Fiorentina.

Verga will continue to serve as club president and shareholder, alongside existing owners, while Cogevina Reynal and Malave will join the board of directors.

"For years, I've dreamed of this club having what it truly deserves," Verga said. "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."

SportsLigue