Larry Berg's appointment as commissioner of Major League Soccer marks a pivotal moment for the league, which has seen substantial growth under Don Garber's leadership since 1999. Berg, who is currently a co-owner of the Los Angeles Football Club and a former senior partner at Apollo Global Management, will need to divest his ownership stake to assume his new role.
Garber will remain in an emeritus position until the end of his contract in 2027, providing a transitional period for Berg. One of Berg's immediate challenges will be negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with MLS players, as the current contract expires in January 2028.
Additionally, he will oversee the league's media rights negotiations after the existing deal with Apple concludes following the 2028-2029 season.
The importance of these negotiations cannot be overstated, as they will shape the financial landscape of MLS, which has recently seen franchises like Inter Miami valued at $1.6 billion, reflecting the league's growing prominence in the global sports market