Larry Berg Named Next Commissioner of Major League Soccer

The Major League Soccer board of governors voted Monday at its Manhattan headquarters to appoint Los Angeles FC co-managing owner Larry Berg as the league’s next commissioner. Berg will assume the role on January 1, 2027, succeeding Don Garber, who has led MLS since 1999. As a condition of the appointment, Berg must divest his ownership interest in LAFC.

Los Angeles FC co-owner Larry Berg will be the next commissioner of the MLS, succeeding Don Garber

Berg comes from a private-equity background, serving as a senior adviser at 26North and previously a partner at Apollo Global Management and chair of McGraw-Hill Education. He invested as a limited partner when LAFC launched in 2014, became a managing owner in 2016, and co-chairs MLS’s sporting and competition committee. Under his ownership, LAFC captured the MLS Cup in 2022 and the Supporters’ Shield in 2019, and Forbes valued the franchise at $1.32 billion as of May. Berg also held stakes in Serie A’s AS Roma and Wales’s Swansea City AFC.

The Guardian

Berg’s own statement highlighted the league’s recent “tremendous success” and outlined priorities to strengthen competition, develop world-class players, deepen supporter connections, and elevate MLS’s global standing, especially as the 2026 World Cup approaches.

Los Angeles FC co-owner Larry Berg will be the next commissioner of the MLS, succeeding Don Garber

• MLS founded 1996; currently 30 clubs.

The Guardian

• Garber’s tenure: commissioner from 1999 through the 2026 season.

Los Angeles FC co-owner Larry Berg will be the next commissioner of the MLS, succeeding Don Garber

• LAFC valuation: $1.32 billion (Forbes, May).

The Guardian

• LAFC achievements under Berg: MLS Cup 2022, Supporters’ Shield 2019.

Los Angeles FC co-owner Larry Berg will be the next commissioner of the MLS, succeeding Don Garber

• “Having worked closely with Larry over the past decade, I’ve seen first-hand the qualities that make him an exceptional leader, and I have complete confidence he is the right person to serve as Major League Soccer’s next Commissioner,” — Don Garber, MLS soccer commissioner

The Guardian

• “I think we’re already a league of choice to a certain extent,” — Larry Berg, role of chairman

The Guardian

• “I’m honored to lead Major League Soccer into its next era,” — Larry Berg, role of chairman

Los Angeles FC co-owner Larry Berg will be the next commissioner of the MLS, succeeding Don Garber

• “Having worked closely with Larry over the past decade, I’ve seen firsthand the qualities that make him an exceptional leader, and I have complete confidence he is the right person to serve as Major League Soccer’s next commissioner,” — Don Garber, MLS soccer commissioner

Los Angeles FC co-owner Larry Berg will be the next commissioner of the MLS, succeeding Don Garber