Venezia FC Secures Strategic Investment Led by Tim Leiweke and Francesca Bodie in €100 Million Funding Round.

Roger Hampel

Image: Venezia FC

Venezia FC has completed a significant minority investment as part of a €100 million fundraising process conducted during the 2025/26 season, bringing new leadership and institutional sports infrastructure expertise into the club’s ownership structure.

The investment vehicle is led by Tim Leiweke and Francesca Bodie, two executives with extensive backgrounds in sports, entertainment and venue development. Their arrival marks a new phase in Venezia’s long-term strategy around financial stability, stadium infrastructure and international growth.

New Leadership Structure Introduced Venezia FC

As part of the transaction, Tim Leiweke has been appointed Co-Chairman of Venezia FC’s Operating Committee alongside Rob Hamwee, while Francesca Bodie becomes President of the club.

The appointments introduce experience from multiple major North American sports organisations, including Major League Soccer, the NBA and NHL, as well as large-scale entertainment district and venue development projects.

The investment vehicle led by Leiweke and Bodie is now the club’s largest external shareholder.

Financial Stability and Infrastructure Development

The fundraising round is designed to strengthen Venezia’s financial structure while supporting long-term competitive ambitions in Serie A and European football. A key focus remains the planned development of the club’s new stadium project at Bosco dello Sport, which continues to sit at the centre of Venezia’s broader growth strategy.

The Operating Committee stated that investment priorities will continue to include:

• stadium development

• training infrastructure

• sporting operations

• long-term enterprise value growth

The emphasis on infrastructure aligns with the profiles of Leiweke and Bodie, both of whom have been closely associated with large-scale sports and entertainment real estate projects internationally.

Drake’s Role in the Ownership Structure

The new ownership alignment was facilitated through Drake, already a co-owner of Venezia FC, who previously worked with Leiweke and Bodie during their time at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.

The involvement of Drake continues Venezia’s positioning at the intersection of football, culture and international branding, an approach the club has increasingly leaned into over recent years.

Executive Comments

Tim Leiweke framed the investment around long-term sporting and fan ambitions, speaking via the club’s official communication:

“We know what it takes to engineer a culture of winning and deliver fan-first experiences.”

Francesca Bodie emphasised the balance between heritage and future growth:

“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 highlighted continuity in the working relationship behind the deal:

“They know what success looks like and how to build it. We've done it before.”