Venezia FC has completed a major minority investment deal as part of a €100 million fundraising round conducted during the 2025/26 season, bringing high-profile sports executives Tim Leiweke and Francesca Bodie into the club’s ownership structure.
The investment consortium, led by Leiweke and Bodie, signals a new chapter in Venezia’s long-term development strategy, with a strong focus on financial sustainability, infrastructure expansion, and international brand growth.
As part of the agreement, Tim Leiweke has been appointed Co-Chairman of Venezia FC’s Operating Committee alongside Rob Hamwee, while Francesca Bodie will serve as President of the club.
The duo brings decades of experience across elite North American sports organizations, including involvement in projects linked to Major League Soccer, the National Basketball Association, and the National Hockey League, in addition to major entertainment district and venue developments.
Following the transaction, the Leiweke-Bodie investment vehicle becomes Venezia FC’s largest external shareholder.
The capital injection is intended to reinforce the club’s financial foundation while supporting its ambitions in Serie A and European football.
Central to Venezia’s long-term vision is the development of its planned new stadium project at Bosco dello Sport, which remains a cornerstone of the club’s expansion strategy.
According to the club’s Operating Committee, investment priorities will continue to focus on:
- Stadium development
- Training infrastructure
- Sporting operations
- Long-term enterprise value growth
The infrastructure-heavy approach closely matches the professional backgrounds of Leiweke and Bodie, both widely recognized for their involvement in large-scale sports and entertainment real estate projects.
The ownership restructuring was facilitated by Drake, already a co-owner of Venezia FC, who previously collaborated with Leiweke and Bodie during their time at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.
Drake’s continued involvement reinforces Venezia FC’s strategy of blending football, fashion, culture, and global entertainment branding — a positioning that has increasingly distinguished the club within the European football landscape.
Executive Statements
Speaking through the club’s official communication channels, Tim Leiweke emphasized the long-term sporting vision behind the investment:
“We know what it takes to engineer a culture of winning and deliver fan-first experiences.”
Francesca Bodie highlighted the importance of balancing tradition with future ambitions:
“We are committed to honoring VFC’s deep history and distinct identity while executing a vision that will make us one of the country’s most competitive teams.”
Drake also pointed to the continuity behind the partnership:
“They know what success looks like and how to build it. We’ve done it before.”