The Major League Soccer board of governors voted to install Los Angeles FC co-managing owner Larry Berg as the league’s next commissioner, following a vote at the league’s headquarters in midtown Manhattan, according to MLSsoccer.com. Berg will succeed Don Garber as the head of the 30-year-old league, becoming the third commissioner in MLS history.
Larry Berg Elected as Major League Soccer Commissioner
League owners met in New York City to vote on the replacement, and Berg will be officially introduced at the league’s office, as reported by ESPN. Berg’s term will officially start on January 1, 2027. Garber, who has served as commissioner since 1999 and led the league from 10 clubs to 30 teams across the United States and Canada, will continue his role through the end of 2026 before transitioning to serve as chairman in 2027.
Transition, Governance, and Ownership Divestment
The succession planning process was led by the MLS Board of Governors and an MLS Succession Committee co-chaired by Jimmy Haslam, CEO and chairman of Haslam Sports Group and owner of the Columbus Crew. Advisors throughout the search included Korn Ferry, CAA, and The Miles Group, with committee members including Cliff Illig of Sporting Kansas City, John Ingram of Nashville SC, Jonathan Kraft of the New England Revolution, Joe Mansueto of Chicago Fire FC, and Oliver Mintzlaff of Red Bull New York.
Consistent with league governance policies, Berg will divest his ownership interest in LAFC through the league’s established transition process to ensure impartiality across all 30 clubs, according to CNBC. Berg initially invested as a limited partner when LAFC launched in 2014 and became a managing owner in 2016. He also served as co-chair of the league’s sporting and competition committee and held ownership interests in Italian club AS Roma and Swansea City AFC in Wales.
Background and Leadership Challenges Ahead
Before his transition to sports administration, Berg came from a private equity investment background, working as a senior partner at Apollo Global Management for three decades, as a senior adviser at 26North, and as chair of McGraw-Hill Education. Under his stewardship alongside fellow owners, LAFC won the MLS Cup in 2022 and Supporters’ Shield titles in 2019 and 2022.
As noted by Yahoo, Berg will step into the commissioner’s office during a transformative period that includes the league’s schedule shift to align with global soccer calendars, featuring a February-to-May MLS Sprint Season
in 2027 and the launch of the 2027–28 season in July 2027. Additional challenges awaiting the incoming commissioner include negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with players expiring at the end of January 2028, proposed changes to roster and salary cap rules, and future media rights negotiations following the expiration of the league’s deal with Apple in mid-2029.
I’m honored to lead Major League Soccer into its next era,
Berg said in a statement issued by the league. We have an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen the quality of our competition, develop more world-class players, deepen our connection with supporters, and continue elevating Major League Soccer’s place in the global game.
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