LAFC co-managing owner Larry Berg voted as next MLS commissioner
The Guardian • • sports
Key Points:
- Larry Berg, co-managing owner of Los Angeles FC, has been voted by the MLS board of governors to become the league's next commissioner, starting January 1, 2027, succeeding Don Garber.
- Don Garber, who has led MLS since 1999, will transition to chairman after Berg assumes the commissioner role to ensure a smooth leadership change during a pivotal time for the league.
- Berg must divest his LAFC shares as part of the transition, and he brings a private equity background with experience in building LAFC into one of MLS's most valuable and well-supported franchises.
- The decision followed a closed-door vote among MLS owners after presentations by Berg and David Nathanson, the other candidate, who has a sports media background.
- Berg has expressed confidence in MLS's growth potential, predicting it could become the third most popular sport in the U.S. by the end of the decade, emphasizing the importance of investment and competitive player acquisition.
