Venezia FC makes history with the appointment of Francesca Bodie as the new president of the club. The 41-year-old Italian-American was appointed on May 6, 2026, becoming the first woman to hold this position in the club's centuries-long existence. Bodie replaces Duncan Niederauer, who remains a minority shareholder, and takes the operational helm with the support of her father Tim Leiweke, a powerful sports manager and co-president of the Venezia Operating Committee. The new president has a top-notch curriculum in sports management and infrastructure development, having worked on billion-dollar stadium and arena projects in global metropolises like Los Angeles and Toronto. At the center of her philosophy is the fan: immersive experiences, stadiums as 'houses of the people' and marketing strategies that transform a simple subscription into a visceral bond with the team's colors. The timing is not coincidental, as Venezia is preparing for a summer of big changes, with the minority investment orchestrated by Bodie and Leiweke redesigning the club's ownership structure. The entry of heavyweight partners like Canadian rapper Drake is ready to inject resources into an ambitious project. The words of the new president, released at a press conference at Ca' Foscari, have ignited the fans: 'I love Venice, its people, its uniqueness. We will honor our glorious history and make Venezia a point of reference in Italy'. And her father Tim, at the microphone, added: 'Francesca is ready. She has the fire in her eyes and the vision to take this club where it deserves'. After years of ups and downs, Bodie represents not only competence but also an epochal signal: Italian football, often conservative, opens its doors to female talent without distinction. The Venezia of Francesca Bodie aims to surprise, with Serie A on the horizon. The lagoon is buzzing: the first female president is ready to write unforgettable pages. So the club is preparing for a rosy future, with a renovated Pier Luigi Penzo and a brand that aims to compete with the big clubs in Serie A on all fronts. But the path will be long and difficult, and Venezia will have to work hard to achieve its goals. 2028 will be a crucial year, with the capacity of Pier Luigi Penzo expected to reach 20,000 seats.