Larry Berg Named Next MLS Commissioner, Aims for League Growth

In a major move for Major League Soccer, Larry Berg, co-owner of Los Angeles FC, has been selected to take the helm as the new commissioner. This decision, made by MLS owners, is seen as a strategic step towards enhancing the league’s reputation in both American sports culture and the international soccer scene. Read more about the announcement here.

As Berg prepares to officially assume his role on January 1, 2027, he will undergo a transition phase with the outgoing commissioner, Don Garber. Garber’s tenure marked the league’s evolution from a small 10-team league into a fully developed entity boasting 23 soccer-specific stadiums and youth academies across all teams.

Reflecting on his journey, Berg stated at a press conference, “I’ve experienced this sport as a player, a fan, and owner, and now with tremendous humility as commissioner. Every one of those experiences has reinforced the same belief: The future of Major League Soccer has never been brighter.”

With the recent FIFA World Cup held in North America, MLS is at a crucial juncture, looking to capitalize on potential increases in attendance and viewership. The league plans to realign its season schedule to match Europe’s summer-to-spring format, a move that coincides with upcoming challenges such as labor negotiations and the expiration of the media rights deal with Apple TV in 2029.

The choice of Berg, a private equity veteran and co-founder of LAFC since 2014, followed a thorough selection process involving around 125 candidates. His team, LAFC, is known for its operational excellence within MLS.

Who is Larry Berg?

Within the soccer community, Berg is recognized for his co-ownership of LAFC, a franchise that emerged in 2018 and quickly rose to prominence, clinching an MLS Cup and a U.S. Open Cup. The team has twice finished as the league’s top regular-season performer.

Berg has also played a crucial role as co-chair of the league’s Sporting and Competition Committee, which deals with rule changes like the upcoming calendar adjustment. Garber remarked, “That was way before he had the ambition to be commissioner, and he brought to that role an entirely modern and forward-thinking perspective as to where the product could be on the field.”

What is his background?

At 60 years old, Berg’s passion for soccer dates back to his childhood in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where he joined a youth league at the age of eight. He became a skilled high school player and even competed against future Sporting KC head coach Peter Vermes. A devoted MLS fan, Berg attended the Los Angeles Galaxy’s inaugural home game in 1996.

Berg’s academic journey took him through the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and Harvard University, leading to a successful career in private equity. He rose to the position of senior partner at Apollo Global Management, a top private equity firm. Berg plans to divest his stake in LAFC to focus on his new role as commissioner.

What is Berg’s vision for MLS?

In 2020, Berg predicted that MLS would rise to become the third most popular sport in the U.S., surpassing baseball and hockey, behind only football and basketball. He affirmed this vision again recently.

According to a Gallup poll, soccer ranks among the middle of sports preferences in the U.S., trailing behind football, basketball, and baseball but ahead of hockey, tennis, and golf.

Berg expressed his aspirations for the league: “As we look ahead five to ten years from now, I hope people won’t simply say that Major League Soccer got bigger. I hope they’ll say it got better — better competition, better player development, stronger clubs, deeper connections with supporters, greater success internationally, and a league that inspired more young people across North America to fall in love with this game.”

He emphasized that enhancing the on-field product is his primary focus, stating, “I would say that’s my No. 1 job. We will have more transfer revenues, and we’ll have more media money, and that’ll all lead to better product on the field. And that will become a flywheel, because it leads to more transfers and more revenue money and more media money.”

What are the big challenges ahead?

The league’s roster rules and spending limitations are under scrutiny, with some owners advocating for simplification and increased spending. These potential changes will require negotiation with the MLS players’ union, whose current contract is effective until January 31, 2028.

Another significant concern is the league’s media rights agreement, which currently provides $250 million annually from Apple TV, the streaming service broadcasting all MLS games, with some simulcast on Fox. The league believes this figure can be increased in future deals.

Berg highlighted the importance of finding media partners willing to innovate with the league, mentioning potential adjustments such as the World Cup “hydration breaks,” which allowed for commercial breaks during games.

What does he think about promotion and relegation?

The topic of promotion and relegation in U.S. soccer is a hotly debated issue among fans and investors. Proponents argue it would foster competitiveness among lower-ranked teams, while opponents, mostly investors and team owners, fear the financial risks associated with relegation.

Berg addressed this during his press conference, stating, “I don’t think it’s a great way to build the league. I don’t think it’s a way to get stadiums built and to get training facilities built and to have owners invest in rosters and all the other things you need to do. I just don’t see it happening any time soon.”