Larry Berg Named Future MLS Commissioner
Los Angeles FC co-owner Larry Berg will become the next commissioner of Major League Soccer (MLS). The decision was made by league owners this week. Berg is expected to guide the league forward in its quest to gain traction among American sports fans and compete with global soccer leagues. He will assume the commissioner role on January 1, 2027, following a transition with current commissioner Don Garber.
Garber has been in the position for 27 years, during which he helped transform MLS from a financially struggling, ten-team entity into a robust league with 23 soccer-specific stadiums and youth academies. At a press event, Berg expressed his enthusiasm: “I’ve experienced this sport as a player, owner, and fan. Now, I approach it with humility as commissioner. The future of MLS looks promising.”
The Transition and Future Challenges
This leadership change comes during a critical period for MLS. Following the FIFA World Cup in North America this summer, the league aims to improve attendance and viewership. Starting next year, MLS will align its schedule with European leagues, moving to a summer-to-spring calendar.
Among the challenges Berg will face are upcoming labor negotiations and the expiration of the media rights deal with Apple TV in 2029. MLS considered around 125 candidates before selecting Berg, whose professional history lies in private equity. Under his co-ownership, LAFC has won both an MLS Cup and a U.S. Open Cup, and has twice secured the best regular-season record. Berg has also co-chaired the league’s Sporting and Competition Committee, which manages rule changes like the upcoming calendar switch.
Background on Larry Berg
Berg, aged 60, started playing soccer as a child, joining a youth league in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He recalled competing in a state championship as a high school player. A past megafan of MLS, he attended LA Galaxy’s inaugural home game in 1996. Berg studied economics and business at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and Harvard University, later pursuing a career in private equity with Apollo Global Management. He plans to divest his LAFC ownership to take on the commissioner role.
Regarding his private equity experience, Berg said, “It’s about a sense of urgency and aligning people toward a common goal.”
Vision for MLS
In 2020, Berg predicted that MLS could surpass baseball and hockey to become the third most popular sport in the U.S., following football and basketball. A Gallup poll indicated soccer ranked behind football, basketball, and baseball but ahead of hockey, tennis, and golf in fan interest.
Berg envisions MLS growing not just in size but also in quality, aiming for improved competition, player development, and club strength. He stressed the importance of enriching the on-field experience, indicating that better play would drive media and transfer revenues, creating a “flywheel” effect of continued growth.
Main Challenges Ahead
The league’s current roster rules and spending limitations are topical, as owners desire clearer regulations and increased spending possibilities. These changes would require negotiations with the MLS players’ union, with the current contract running until January 31, 2028.
Additionally, the league’s media rights deal is pivotal. Currently, MLS earns around $250 million annually from Apple TV, which broadcasts all MLS games. The league seeks future media partnerships to potentially increase revenues. Berg mentioned adapting to partners’ interests, citing controversial “hydration breaks” during World Cup games that allowed commercial breaks.
Thoughts on Promotion and Relegation
Some fans advocate for a European-style promotion-relegation system, which might motivate lower-performing teams to improve. However, most investors and team owners, including Berg, oppose it due to financial risks and investment protection concerns. Berg asserted, “I don’t think it’s a way to build the league. I don’t see promotion and relegation happening any time soon.”