LAFC co-owner Larry Berg named next MLS commissioner, succeeding Don Garber after 27 years

The selection

Larry Berg, 60, co-owner of Los Angeles FC, was voted the next commissioner of Major League Soccer on Monday, August 3, 2026. The MLS Board of Governors met in New York and Berg secured the required two-thirds supermajority, sources told The Athletic. He and former Fox executive David Nathanson were the two finalists to succeed Don Garber. Berg will divest his ownership stake in LAFC through the league's established transition process and take over at the start of 2027. His official introduction is set for Tuesday at MLS headquarters in New York.

“I'm honored to lead Major League Soccer into its next era. Thanks to the vision and commitment of so many people, Major League Soccer has achieved tremendous success, but I believe our greatest opportunities are still ahead.”

Berg brings experience from both soccer and finance. He previously held stakes in Serie A club AS Roma and Swansea City AFC in Wales, and spent 30 years at Apollo Global Management after earning an MBA from Harvard Business School. At LAFC, he helped the club win the MLS Cup in 2022 and the Supporters' Shield in 2019 and 2022.

Garber's legacy

Don Garber, 68, has served as commissioner since August 1999, making him the second-longest-tenured commissioner among major U.S. leagues behind the NHL's Gary Bettman. Under his leadership, MLS grew from 10 or 12 teams to 30, with franchise valuations rising sharply. The league also oversaw the construction of 26 soccer-specific stadiums. Garber will remain commissioner through the end of the 2026 season before shifting to the role of chairman in 2027 to ensure a smooth transition.

“Having worked closely with Larry over the past decade, I've seen firsthand the qualities that make him an exceptional leader, and I have complete confidence he is the right person to serve as Major League Soccer's next commissioner.”

Calendar and competition changes

Berg takes over at a pivotal moment. MLS owners already voted to align the league's calendar with the major European leagues, moving from a February-December schedule to a summer-to-spring wraparound format. A "MLS Sprint Season" will run from February to May 2027, followed by the kickoff of the 2027-28 season in July 2027, with the MLS Cup final in May 2028. The shift is designed to give the playoffs a marquee television window and align transfer windows with global markets.

Financial and media landscape

The league's current media rights deal with Apple TV expires in mid-2029. MLS will receive $200 million for the 2026 season, $107.5 million for the sprint season, and $275 million per year for the final two seasons of the agreement. Berg will also need to navigate proposed changes to roster rules and budget guidelines, which aim to streamline spending and make MLS more competitive with Liga MX and other global leagues. Those changes require negotiations with the MLS Players Association on a new collective bargaining agreement.

2026 season200

Sprint season 2027107.5

2027-28 season275

2028-29 season275

2026 season

200 $M

Sprint season 2027

107.5 $M

2027-28 season

275 $M

2028-29 season

275 $M

Data from the article text

What's next

Jimmy Haslam, CEO of Haslam Sports Group and co-chair of the succession committee, called Berg "the right leader for Major League Soccer's next chapter." Berg's immediate tasks include finalizing the calendar transition, securing a new media rights deal, and working with owners and players on roster rule reforms. The league's 30 clubs will look to Berg to build on the momentum of the 2026 World Cup and continue MLS's growth trajectory.

“Larry Berg is the right leader for Major League Soccer's next chapter.”