Jul 11, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; LAFC lead managing owner Larry Berg reacts at press conference at Banc of California Stadium Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

MLS owners appoint Berg next commissioner

· CNA · Join

Read a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST
FAST

LOS ANGELES, Aug 3 : Major League Soccer owners voted on Monday to appoint Los Angeles FC co-owner and private equity executive Larry Berg as the league's next commissioner, succeeding longtime chief Don Garber next year, sources said. 

Berg has held his ownership stake in LAFC since 2018, giving him inside knowledge of the MLS operations. He will sell his stake in the team before taking over the role.  

Berg comes from the world of finance, holding an MBA from Harvard Business School and 30 years of experience at American asset management firm Apollo Global ​Management.

Garber, 68, is nearing the end of his ⁠third decade as commissioner, holding the job since August 1999. Only NHL commissioner Gary ​Bettman has served longer among the major U.S. leagues, assuming office in February 1993.

CNA Games

Guess Word
Crack the word, one row at a time

Buzzword
Create words using the given letters

Mini Sudoku
Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser

Mini Crossword
Small grid, big challenge

Word Search
Spot as many words as you can
Show More
Show Less

Berg will assume the role on January 1, 2027. Garber will continue to serve as commissioner through the end of 2026 before transitioning to chairman in 2027.

In 2025, the league formed a succession committee, led by LAFC ​co-owner Bennett Rosenthal and Columbus Crew owner Jimmy Haslam, to determine a plan to succeed ​Garber. Consultant Korn Ferry was brought in to lead the search for candidates.

The other top candidate for the job, reports said, was David Nathanson, a former Fox executive who gave a presentation to the 30 MLS team owners in New York on Monday.

Source: Reuters

Newsletter

Recommended Read

Subscribe to CNA's Recommended Read

A single handpicked story that we think you shouldn't miss. Just one a day.

Sign up for our newsletters

Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox

Subscribe here

Get the CNA app

Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories

Download here

Get WhatsApp alerts

Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app

Join here