yahoo
After a 27-year tenure, Don Garber will step down as Major League Soccer's commissioner at the end of 2026. On Monday, it was announced that Larry Berg, a part-owner of Los Angeles FC, will take over the role. Berg was chosen by MLS club owners in a vote, beating out former Fox executive David Nathanson.
Berg will need to sell his stake in LAFC before assuming his new position. However, his experience with the club is expected to shape his approach to leading the 30-year-old league. Since joining MLS in 2018, LAFC has consistently finished in the top three of the Western Conference, reached two MLS Cup finals, winning one in 2022, and claimed the U.S. Open Cup in 2024. The club is also known for its aggressive pursuit of top talent and significant investment in its roster, a philosophy that Berg is likely to bring to the league level.
Financial Overhaul on the Horizon
MLS is on the verge of a major shift in its financial model. In 2027, the league will adopt a 14-game sprint season from February to May, followed by a break and a return in August, aligning with the traditional autumn-to-spring calendar used by most top leagues. This change will move the primary player acquisition window from winter to summer. To compete for talent with European and South American clubs, MLS teams will need more spending power, as most currently spend under $20 million annually on their entire rosters.
Reports from late July indicate that MLS has been discussing significant changes to its salary structure, potentially including a more open salary cap system. Berg, coming from a big-spending club, is likely to support such reforms. Other ownership groups in Atlanta, New York, and Miami, as well as clubs like the LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls, would also benefit from a more flexible cap. An adjusted cap would not only help bigger spenders but also raise the overall quality of play across the league.
Media Rights Challenge
The league is also at a critical juncture with its media rights. After just three seasons of the 10-year, $2.5 billion exclusive deal with Apple, the two sides renegotiated to end the contract after the 2028-29 season. When the rights return to the open market, MLS is reportedly seeking $400-500 million annually, nearly double what Apple paid for exclusivity. However, the league faces significant hurdles in achieving that goal.
When the Apple deal was signed, MLS was primarily a summer league, facing less competition for live sports. As it moves to the traditional calendar, it will compete directly with the English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1, as well as the NFL, NBA, NHL, and college sports. Potential broadcast partners like NBC, CBS, Fox, and ESPN already have crowded lineups, making it difficult for MLS to secure a premier slot. Berg will need to convince media partners that the league can grow despite these challenges, and his success will largely depend on improving exposure and revenues from the next media rights deal.
Originally reported by yahoo.