Venezia FC: Francesca Bodie appointed president following €100m capital increase

An investment vehicle led by Francesca Bodie and his father, Tim Leiweken has acquired a minority stake in Venezia FC (promoted to Serie A Enilive for the 2026-27 season), the club announced on 07/05/2026.

The investment is part of a €100m fund raise conducted by the club’s operating committee during the 2025-26 season, aimed at "strengthening the club’s financial stability and supporting its ambitions to compete at the highest levels of Italian and European football."

"Leiweke and Bodie’s investment vehicle is now the largest outside shareholder of VFC, joining an established ownership group with several long-term members who have remained across multiple leadership groups," the club added.

Francesca Bodie, former COO of Oak View Group, an American company specialised in the development and management of sports and entertainment venues, has been appointed president of the club, succeeding Duncan Niederauer. She therefore becomes the fourth woman in history to lead a Serie A club (see below). Duncan Niederauer will retain a minority stake in the club’s ownership structure.

"A leading…