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Venezia FC Partners with Drake’s Nocta: A Bold Move Amid Financial Revival and Serie A Return
Italian football club Venezia FC recently unveiled a new partnership with Nocta, the sportswear brand owned by Canadian rapper Drake, for the upcoming 2024-25 Serie A season. This deal, which marks a significant shift in the club’s kit sponsorship away from the legendary partnership with Italian sportswear brand Kappa, comes on the heels of Drake’s crucial financial support that helped rescue the club from near bankruptcy last year.
The partnership between Venezia FC and Nocta (a sub-brand of Nike) signals a major step for both parties. Known for its striking jerseys and distinctive fashion appeal, Venezia FC has long been a standout in the football fashion arena. I was initially not happy about Venezia parting ways with Kappa, however, now discovering that Drake has a significant stake in the club I get why it happened. This collaboration with Nocta is expected to enhance the club’s profile, reflecting a synergy between fashion and football.
Drake’s involvement with Venezia is more profound than just a sponsorship deal. According to the Italian edition of GQ, the rapper played a pivotal role in stabilizing the club financially. As reported, Venezia FC was grappling with severe financial distress in the winter of 2022, needing an urgent €10 million to cover immediate expenses and a further €30 million to avert bankruptcy.
Matte Babel, Drake’s Chief Brand Officer, detailed the situation:
“Brad Katsuyama, co-owner of Venezia and a close friend, reached out to me with the club’s predicament. The challenge was clear: raise €10 million quickly and another €30 million shortly thereafter or face bankruptcy. I spoke with Drake, and together with Brad, we formulated a plan. Within two weeks, we secured the funds needed to prevent the club from folding.”
Thanks to this intervention, Venezia FC not only avoided financial collapse but also achieved promotion to Serie A under former manager Paolo Vanoli, who has since moved to Torino. The club’s new managerial appointment is Eusebio Di Francesco, who was previously with Frosinone.
Under American ownership, VFC Newco 2020, led by businessman Duncan Niederauer, Venezia FC has embarked on a new strategic direction. The recent agreement with Nocta and Drake is a cornerstone of this strategy, as the club aims to solidify its position in Italian football and beyond.
The support from Drake and his team has been transformative. Beyond the immediate financial relief, the investment has been instrumental in strengthening the club’s resources and infrastructure. Venezia FC has made notable additions to its squad, including talents such as Gaetano Oristanio and veteran Alfred Duncan. The club’s ambitious plans also include the development of Ca’ Venezia, a state-of-the-art training facility, and the Bosco dello Sport, a major investment to build a new stadium and sports complex set to be completed by the 2027/28 season.
Duncan Niederauer, President of Venezia FC, expressed pride in the club’s progress:
“We have made significant investments to refurbish our current stadium and are progressing well with plans for a new stadium. Alongside our recent investment in Ca’ Venezia, we are setting the stage for modernizing our facilities to the highest standards in Italy.”
As Venezia FC prepares for its Serie A campaign, the club’s new partnership with Nocta and Drake stands as a testament to their resilience and ambition. The forthcoming season will be a critical test, but the club is determined to leverage its new resources and strategic direction to secure a strong foothold in Italy’s top football league.
Thanks for reading, David Skilling