Despite some touch-and-go moments in recent weeks, the New York Cosmos are alive, will participate in NASL next season and have a new majority owner.
Cable television magnate Rocco Commisso has purchased a majority stake of the reigning NASL champion, replacing the outgoing Seamus O'Brien and keeping the club afloat. SI's Brian Straus reported that Commisso's purchase was contingent on the Cosmos's place in a second-division NASL, and when NASL was granted provisional second-division sanctioning by U.S. Soccer Friday night, it paved the way for the sale to go through.
“Like so many of our fantastic fans, I have followed the Cosmos since the fabulous days of Pelé, Chinaglia, Alberto, and Beckenbauer,” Commisso said in a statement.