On Monday, Major League Soccer announced that Larry Berg, co-managing owner of Los Angeles FC, will become the league’s next commissioner. He is set to succeed Don Garber when his term begins on January 1, 2027.
Event Context
Berg will encounter several challenges, including proposed modifications to roster and salary cap regulations, the implementation of a new collective bargaining agreement with the players, and the negotiation of a fresh media rights deal. Notably, the existing contract with Apple TV is set to expire in mid-2029.
Player Focus
We have a unique opportunity to enhance the quality of our competition, nurture elite players, strengthen our bond with fans, and further elevate Major League Soccer’s status in the international arena. Under MLS regulations, Berg will relinquish his ownership stake in LAFC to assume this new position.
Team Analysis
He played a pivotal role in elevating the Southern California club to the forefront of the league, leading them to secure the MLS Cup in 2022 and claiming the Supporters’ Shield as the top overall team in the regular season for both 2019 and 2022.
Garber’s exit marks the end of a 27-year career during which he guided the league through significant financial difficulties in the 2000s.
While MLS faced the loss of two franchises in 2002, Garber’s leadership has resulted in substantial growth in both the number of teams and their valuation.
Match Outlook
Berg is set to become the league’s third commissioner in its history. Garber, who has held the position since 1999, will transition to the role of chairman in 2027, facilitating a smooth leadership change, as announced by MLS in a recent statement.
“I’m honored to lead Major League Soccer into its next chapter,” Berg expressed following the owners’ vote in New York on Monday that confirmed his appointment.
“Thanks to the vision and dedication of many, Major League Soccer has experienced remarkable achievements; however, I believe our greatest potential lies ahead.”
In the next two years, the league will undergo significant changes, moving from its current February-December timetable to a format that aligns with most global football leagues. This new structure will introduce a February-to-May competition in 2027, known as the “MLS Sprint Season.”
This shift will pave the way for the 2027-28 season to commence in July 2027, culminating with the 2028 MLS Cup in May 2028.
“Larry Berg is the ideal leader for the next phase of Major League Soccer,” stated Jimmy Haslam, CEO of Haslam Sports Group, which owns MLS’s Columbus Crew, the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, and a stake in the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. Haslam co-chaired the committee that sought Garber’s successor.
“Throughout our search process, it became evident that Larry is uniquely equipped to navigate MLS through one of its most important eras,” Haslam noted. “His comprehensive knowledge of the league, lifelong passion for the sport, global insight, and established leadership make him the perfect candidate to continue building on MLS’s momentum and guide the league into its exciting new phase.”
