Larry Berg named MLS commissioner, to assume role at start of 2027
Larry Berg will become Major League Soccer’s next commissioner, succeeding Don Garber in January 2027 as the league prepares for post-World Cup growth.
Berg appointment announced
Major League Soccer announced Monday, August 3, 2026, that Larry Berg will be the league’s next commissioner and will assume the office at the start of the new year. Berg, 60, will divest his ownership stake in Los Angeles FC before taking the role to avoid conflicts of interest. League officials said Berg will be formally introduced at MLS headquarters in New York the day after the announcement.
Berg’s selection follows a decade of close collaboration with existing leadership and club owners. The league framed his appointment as a transition to steward MLS through its next phase of growth. Officials emphasized continuity by confirming that Don Garber will remain commissioner through the 2026 season before shifting to a chairman role.
Transition timetable and leadership roles
Berg is set to take the reins on January 1, 2027, after completing the divestment process from his LAFC holdings. Garber will remain in charge through the end of the 2026 season, providing a handover period that MLS says will cover operational and strategic matters. At the conclusion of that season Garber will assume the title of chairman and continue to work with the league in a senior capacity.
MLS framed the staggered handoff as a way to preserve institutional knowledge while enabling Berg to begin planning for the calendar year ahead. League stakeholders were told the transition window will allow Berg to coordinate with owners, players and commercial partners before fully stepping into the commissioner’s daily responsibilities.
Garber praises Berg’s leadership
In statements released with the announcement, Garber expressed confidence in Berg’s capabilities and cited years of partnership as the basis for his endorsement. League releases highlighted Garber’s view that Berg’s integrity, judgment and collaborative approach make him well-suited to lead MLS forward. Officials said Garber intends to support Berg through the transition and to remain involved in major initiatives as chairman.
The league credited Garber with presiding over significant expansion and commercial growth since he became commissioner in 1999. MLS noted that the momentum generated under Garber’s tenure — including rising attendance, broadcast deals and club investment — sets a foundation Berg will inherit.
Berg’s ownership background and club successes
Berg’s résumé includes founding and managing interests in professional clubs both in the United States and overseas. He has held ownership stakes in AS Roma of Italy’s Serie A and Wales’ Swansea City AFC, reflecting a track record of international investment in the sport. Most recently, Berg was a co-owner of LAFC, where the club captured the MLS Cup in 2022 and the Supporters’ Shield in 2019.
League materials described Berg as having played an active role in building LAFC’s competitive and commercial profile. MLS said that experience, paired with Berg’s broader club ownership history, informed the board’s decision to select him for the commissioner’s post.
Stated priorities for the next era
Berg outlined several priorities he plans to pursue as commissioner, saying he aims to raise the on-field standard and accelerate player development across the league. He indicated a focus on strengthening the quality of competition, cultivating homegrown and internationally competitive players, and deepening engagement with supporters. Berg also signaled an intent to elevate MLS’s stature in the global soccer landscape through partnerships and investment in club infrastructure.
League representatives framed these objectives as aligned with owner and fan expectations as MLS seeks sustained growth. Berg’s stated emphasis on both sporting quality and supporter connection suggests a dual approach balancing commercial expansion with competitive integrity.
Implications ahead of the 2026 World Cup
MLS will enter Berg’s early tenure riding the tailwind of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which league officials described as a pivotal moment for domestic soccer interest. The league expects to capitalize on increased visibility and to convert World Cup attention into long-term fan growth and commercial opportunity. Berg’s appointment was presented as timely, giving new leadership a chance to shape MLS strategy in the World Cup’s aftermath.
Owners and partners will be watching how Berg translates international momentum into domestic gains, including youth development pipelines, stadium investments and broadcast distribution. The league’s ability to retain new fans and convert broader interest into sustainable revenue streams will be central to Berg’s early mandate.
MLS emphasized the collaborative nature of the job, noting that success will depend on coordinated effort among clubs, players, supporters and commercial partners. Berg’s prior ownership experience and the planned transition with Garber are intended to smooth that coordination.
The league’s board will introduce Berg publicly in New York following the announcement, and officials said further details about his transition plan and immediate priorities will be released at that event.
