MLS appoint LAFC owner Larry Berg to succeed Don Garber as commissioner
Los Angeles FC co-owner Larry Berg has been appointed as the next commissioner of Major League Soccer following a vote by league owners in New York.
He will officially assume the top executive role on 1 January 2027, succeeding long-serving incumbent Don Garber.
Garber, who has stewarded the North American top flight since 1999, will transition to the position of league chairman once the handover is complete.
Navigating a new calendar and media landscape
The incoming leader takes charge at a pivotal juncture for the rapidly expanding competition.
Following a transitional shortened season in 2026, the league is set to pivot to a radical summer-to-autumn calendar format for the 2027-28 campaign.
The former private equity and finance executive will also be immediately tasked with managing negotiations for the next broadcasting cycle.
The competition’s current global media rights deal with Apple TV is scheduled to conclude in 2029.
I’m honored to lead Major League Soccer into its next era.
Larry Berg
The new appointee expressed immense excitement for the future, highlighting opportunities to strengthen the competition’s quality and develop more world-class talent.
Divesting from a Californian powerhouse
To ensure total impartiality in his new governing role, the future commissioner will divest his ownership stake in LAFC through an established transition process.
Since their debut in 2018, the Californian franchise have established themselves as a dominant force in the domestic game.
Under his partial stewardship, the black-and-gold outfit claimed an MLS Cup, two Supporters’ Shields, and a US Open Cup trophy.
Jimmy Haslam, co-chair of the MLS succession committee, praised the newly appointed executive’s lifelong connection to the sport and global perspective.
Throughout our process, it became clear that Larry is uniquely qualified to lead MLS through one of the most significant periods in its history.
Jimmy Haslam
Garber’s eventual departure from the commissioner’s desk marks the end of a transformative 28-year reign.
During his tenure, he oversaw the project balloon from a fragile 10-team setup into a robust 30-club enterprise stretching across the United States and Canada.