MLS Names Larry Berg 3rd Commissioner, Succeeding Don Garber in 2027
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Aug 3
MLS Names Larry Berg 3rd Commissioner, Succeeding Don Garber in 2027
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Aug 3
Summary
Larry Berg, an LAFC part owner, was chosen by MLS owners in New York to become commissioner on Jan. 1, 2027, with Don Garber remaining in charge through 2026.
30-team MLS said Berg will divest his LAFC stake through the league’s transition process, clearing a conflict-of-interest hurdle before he takes over.
Garber, commissioner since 1999, will shift to chairman after overseeing MLS’s growth from 10 clubs to 30 across the United States and Canada.
2027 will hand Berg two major tasks: guiding MLS into a new summer-to-fall calendar after a shortened sprint season next year, and preparing for Apple TV media rights talks before the 2029 deal expires.
2026 World Cup momentum is part of the backdrop for the handover, as MLS tries to build on recent growth under only its third commissioner.