Larry Berg has been appointed as the next commissioner of Major League Soccer (MLS), succeeding Don Garber, who has held the position since 1999. The announcement was made on Monday, with Berg set to take over next year while Garber transitions to the role of chairman until his contract concludes in 2027.
Currently a co-managing owner of the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), Berg will need to divest his ownership stake as part of assuming the commissioner’s role. He previously served as a senior partner at Apollo Global Management for three decades and has been instrumental in LAFC’s rise to prominence, including their MLS Cup victory in 2022.
Garber praised Berg as an exceptional leader with firsthand knowledge of the league’s operations, expressing confidence in his ability to guide MLS into the future. Under Garber’s leadership, the league expanded from 10 to 30 franchises and saw significant growth in revenue and franchise valuations. Notably, MLS franchises now feature prominently in global sports valuations, with Inter Miami valued at $1.6 billion.
In his statement, Berg acknowledged the league’s accomplishments and emphasized the ongoing opportunities for improvement in competition, player development, and fan engagement during his tenure. One of his initial challenges will be negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with MLS players, set to expire at the end of January 2028. Additionally, he will oversee the upcoming media rights negotiations following the conclusion of the league’s current deal with Apple in the 2028-2029 season.
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