MLS Names LAFC Part-Owner Larry Berg as Next Commissioner

Major League Soccer has made its choice for the post-Don Garber era. Larry Berg, a part-owner of Los Angeles Football Club, will become the league's next commissioner on Jan. 1, 2027, taking over from Garber, who has steered MLS since 1999. The appointment marks a generational shift in North American soccer leadership and puts an ownership insider in charge of the league's next growth chapter.

A Changing of the Guard

Garber's tenure transformed MLS from a small league with survival questions into a 30-team competition with a global profile. His successor will inherit a very different organization: one with a rapidly expanding footprint, new soccer-specific stadiums, high-profile signings, and a fan base that has grown alongside the sport's domestic rise. Berg's challenge will be to sustain that momentum while navigating a broadcast landscape and ownership dynamics that look nothing like they did when Garber took charge.

An official transition date gives everyone time to prepare. Garber will continue to lead through the next two full seasons, including the build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil, before passing the mantle. That runway gives Berg a chance to learn the commissioner's brief from the inside and establish relationships across the league's clubs and partners.

Berg's LAFC Pedigree

Berg has been a central figure in one of MLS's most ambitious clubs. LAFC entered the league in 2018 and quickly became a benchmark for how an expansion team can integrate into a market, building a modern stadium in the heart of Los Angeles and developing a distinct identity. As a part-owner, Berg will bring an owner's perspective to the league office, a significant departure from Garber, who arrived with a background in sports marketing and the NFL.

His appointment also raises interesting questions about how MLS owners view the commissioner's role. Choosing someone from within the ownership ranks signals a desire for collaborative leadership and a deep understanding of the business pressures clubs face. Berg's time at LAFC has been marked by investment in talent and infrastructure, and that kind of ambition may shape his approach to league-wide priorities.

What It Means

Berg's mandate will likely extend well beyond day-to-day operations. The league is in the middle of a new round of expansion, with clubs in San Diego and other markets coming online, and it continues to push for relevance in a crowded North American sports marketplace. His ownership background could prove useful in building consensus among fellow owners, but it could also raise questions about conflicts of interest given his continued ties to LAFC.

The next commissioner will also take office just after the 2026 World Cup, a tournament that is expected to supercharge interest in soccer across the United States and Canada. How MLS captures that wave—through new audiences, investment in youth development, and smarter scheduling—will define the Berg era. For now, the appointment signals continuity of ambition, even as the league prepares to turn a page.