At a recent press briefing, MLS commissioner Don Garber reflected on the impact of the just‑concluded FIFA World Cup, asserting that the tournament had demonstrated that the United States is now a true soccer nation and that this momentum provides a strong foundation for the league’s next chapter.
Garber noted that the global showcase reshaped soccer’s place within the broader American sports hierarchy, creating a fertile environment for a large‑scale marketing push that targets the growing influx of fans arriving on U.S. shores.
The league plans to shift its calendar to a fall‑to‑spring schedule beginning next year, a move he says will align MLS more closely with international rhythms and improve player development and fan engagement.
Speaking about his own tenure, Garber expressed deep satisfaction with nearly three decades at the helm, highlighting the expansion to 30 franchises and the construction of soccer‑specific stadiums as cornerstones of the league’s growth.
The Road Ahead for MLS
He also confirmed that a formal succession process is underway, with potential successors including Larry Berg, co‑owner of LAFC; Paraag Marathe, president of 49ers Enterprises; and former Fox executive David Nathanson.
While acknowledging that MLS remains a commercial powerhouse, Garber noted that on‑field performance still lags behind Europe’s Big Five leagues, a gap the organization aims to close through strategic investments.
Garber emphasized that the next commissioner will inherit a platform built on World Cup‑driven enthusiasm, but will also face the challenge of narrowing the performance gap with global rivals.