A new era for Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer confirmed that Larry Berg, co‑managing owner of Los Angeles FC, will assume the role of commissioner beginning January 1, 2027. He will replace Don Garber, who has steered the league since 1999 and will transition to chairman after the end of 2026.
Berg’s appointment follows a board‑led succession process that involved a committee of club owners. Jimmy Haslam, co‑chair of the succession committee, said Berg is the right leader to guide the league into its next chapter.
The new commissioner brings a deep background in private equity. Before retiring from Apollo Global Management in 2022, Berg spent three decades as a senior partner, and he later joined the investment firm 26North as a senior partner.
Berg’s soccer résumé includes co‑founding Los Angeles FC in 2018, guiding the club to MLS Cup triumph in 2022 and Supporters’ Shield titles in 2019 and 2022. He also holds ownership stakes in Italy’s AS Roma and Wales’ Swansea City, both of which will be divested to prevent conflicts of interest.
Under Berg’s oversight, MLS plans to roll out a revised competition calendar in 2027 that aligns more closely with top global leagues. The league will also revisit player squad regulations, media‑rights negotiations, and a new collective bargaining agreement.
Berg will be formally introduced at MLS headquarters in Manhattan on Tuesday, where he will outline his vision for expanding the league’s footprint across the United States and Canada while maintaining its growth in international markets.