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Who is Larry Berg? MLS elects LAFC co-owner as next commissioner to replace Don Garber originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The man to lead Major League Soccer into the future of soccer in the United States has been chosen.
According to a report by Sportico, MLS owners voted to hire Larry Berg as the league's next commissioner, replacing Don Garber, who is set to step down in the near future.
Garber, at the helm of the U.S. top-flight league since 1999, has ushered in countless groundbreaking moments in American soccer and has overseen the extreme growth of the league across his 27 years in charge. For example, the league has grown from 12 teams to 30 during his oversight.
Now, with the league entering a new, critical phase of post-World Cup growth, Garber is set to hand over the reins to a new voice who will carry MLS into its next chapter.
MORE:New contract, salary of USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino
Who is Larry Berg?
Larry Berg, 60 years old, is formerly a senior partner at private equity firm Apollo Global Management. He joined investment management platform 26 North in 2023 and is a part-owner of LAFC, listed as co-managing owner.
Berg will divest his ownership stake in the club before beginning as MLS commissioner, since he will then work for the owners.
The official MLS release states that Berg has also held ownership in AS Roma and Swansea City, although the use of past tense suggests he no longer holds those interests currently.
Why did MLS hire Larry Berg?
Major League Soccer has brought in Larry Berg to be the next commissioner of the organization because he is "an exceptional leader," according to Don Garber in an official MLS statement.
"His integrity, judgment, collaborative leadership, and unwavering commitment to building LAFC and the league have made him an invaluable partner," Garber said. "I look forward to working alongside Larry during this transition and supporting him as he leads MLS into its next chapter."
The MLS release notes that Berg is "a lifelong soccer player, accomplished sports owner, and highly respected private equity investor."
When will Don Garber step down?
Current MLS commissioner Don Garber is expected to step down on December 31, 2026, at which point he will transition to a role as chairman.
Larry Berg will take over on January 1, 2027. This will allow Berg to take over before the half-season that will ensue before the league transitions to a European calendar later that August.
This is earlier than expected, since Garber's current contract as commissioner runs through the end of 2027.
Why is Don Garber stepping down as MLS commissioner?
Major League Soccer is facing a number of new challenges all at the same time, and therefore Garber believed it was right to step aside.
The post-World Cup era of Major League Soccer has a number of benchmarks that are on the horizon. There is an upcoming CBA negotiation, with the current deal expiring in January 2028. The current media rights deal with Apple will end at the conclusion of the 2028-29 season after a recent restructuring of the contract.
Additionally, the next era of the league must be positioned for the future, as the post-World Cup and post-Lionel Messi phase of MLS will be a pivotal time for soccer in the United States. Converting short-term fans who have been captivated by the sport recently, either by the World Cup or by Messi's presence in the league, into long-term followers has always been the league's biggest challenge, and that struggle currently looms larger than ever.
Garber revealed via Sportico back in May that there was a succession plan to have former league president Mark Abbott take over, but when he stepped down in 2022 that plan was scrapped.
The league put together a succession committee in the fourth quarter of 2025 and they have worked ever since to find Garber's replacement.
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