Rocco Commisso has had plenty of chances to get involved in professional soccer in his time: in Italy, England, Major League Soccer - even the New York Cosmos four years ago.

It was only bad timing that prevented the Italian-American cable TV magnate from investing in the game that he played to All-Ivy League level at Columbia University.

But when the Mediacom boss was approached to take over the Cosmos last December - and prevent the iconic club from being shut down for good - it was an opportunity he simply could not refuse.

On Thursday, Dec 15 - a day Commisso will always remember - he received a phone call from Jack Gaeta, the Cosmos manager of team operations, informing him of the club's critical state, something he had been aware of.

Commisso, 67, then called old friend Joe Barone to find out more and moved swiftly into action.

He met Seamus O'Brien, the then Cosmos chairman who was looking to sell the NASL club, at 10am the following day at his lawyer's office.

He did not leave until 2am on the Saturday morning until a deal was done.