A New Era for MLS
Larry Berg has been selected as the next commissioner of Major League Soccer, a role he will assume on January 1, 2027. He will replace Don Garber, who after 27 years at the league’s helm will move into a chairman position.
Berg arrives with a deep résumé in soccer ownership and finance. As co‑managing owner of Los Angeles Football Club, he helped guide the franchise to an MLS Cup title in 2022 and secured two Supporters’ Shields. His involvement in the league’s Sporting and Competition Committee further sharpened his perspective on competition policy.
Beyond LAFC, Berg’s investment track record includes ownership stakes in Italy’s Serie A club AS Roma and Wales’ Swansea City AFC. Prior to his soccer ventures, he spent three decades as a senior partner at Apollo Global Management, where he led consumer, education and business‑services investments. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Wharton School and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
The transition follows a year‑long succession planning process overseen by the MLS Board of Governors, with advisory support from Korn Ferry, CAA and The Miles Group. Berg will be formally introduced on August 4 at the league’s headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, where he will outline his vision for the organization.
Garber’s tenure reshaped soccer in North America, expanding the league from ten to thirty clubs and overseeing the construction of twenty‑six dedicated stadiums. His leadership also helped the United States and Canada become prominent soccer nations, a momentum that will only grow as the region prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Berg has pledged to divest his interest in LAFC to maintain impartiality, and he plans to continue evolving the league’s roster model, open new venues and finalize a new collective bargaining agreement. His appointment signals a continued focus on growth, infrastructure and competitive balance as MLS looks ahead to its next chapter.