Major League Soccer Names Private Equity Veteran Larry Berg as Next Commissioner

2026-08-03 companies

New York, Tuesday, 4 August 2026.
Major League Soccer owners have voted LAFC co-owner Larry Berg as commissioner starting in 2027, positioning a private equity veteran to lead significant calendar reforms and media growth.

Leadership Transition and Voting Process

Major League Soccer club owners convened in New York to finalize the leadership succession plan, voting to appoint Larry Berg as the league’s next commissioner [2][3]. The vote occurred on Monday, 27 July 2026, securing the required two-thirds supermajority among the board of governors [3][5]. Berg, 60, was selected over fellow finalist David Nathanson, a former Fox executive and investor in Seattle Sounders and Angel City FC [1][3]. The league publicly confirmed the appointment on 2 August 2026, with Berg scheduled for formal introduction on 4 August 2026 [5]. This transition marks a pivotal moment for the league as it approaches the post-2026 FIFA World Cup landscape [1]. Don Garber, who has served as commissioner since 1999, will transition to the role of chairman in 2027 [1][2]. Garber’s current contract extends through the end of the 2027 season, ensuring an overlap period for stability [3][5]. Berg, a senior partner at private equity firm 26North and former senior partner at Apollo Global Management, brings extensive financial expertise to the role [1][4]. His selection reflects the owners’ desire for financial acumen as the league seeks to expand its commercial valuation [1][5].

Financial Landscape and Media Rights Strategy

A primary focus for the incoming commissioner will be maximizing revenue streams, particularly regarding media rights negotiations [3]. The league’s current media deal with Apple is set to expire in the summer of 2029 [3][5]. Under the current agreement, MLS payments are structured at $200 million for the 2026 season and $107.5 million for the transitional sprint season from February to May 2027 [3]. For the final two seasons of the deal, revenue is projected at $275 million annually [3]. MLS owners are targeting an annual media rights fee between $400 million and $500 million for the next cycle following the 2028-29 season [5]. This target represents a significant increase from the current $250 million Apple deal valuation [5]. The potential growth can be expressed as a percentage increase from the current baseline to the lower end of the target range: 60 [5]. Berg has previously emphasized that the league’s ability to compete for players depends on financial capacity [1]. His background includes 30 years at Apollo Global Management before joining 26North in 2023 [2][4]. Additionally, Berg must divest his ownership stake in LAFC to assume the commissioner role, though no formal deadline for the sale has been established [2][3]. LAFC was valued at $1.32 billion by Forbes as of May 2026 [1].

Strategic Calendar Reform and Competition

Operational changes are also on the horizon, specifically regarding the league schedule [3]. MLS is transitioning to a summer-to-spring calendar starting in July 2027 [3][5]. This shift requires a transitional sprint season scheduled from February to May 2027 [3][5]. Implementing this change necessitates negotiations with the MLS Players Association for a new collective bargaining agreement, as the current labor deal expires in January 2028 [3][5]. Berg has acknowledged the necessity of these changes, stating that no one believes maintaining the status quo is a viable option for a challenger league [3]. He noted that while views differ on specific changes, the consensus is that the league must continue evolving to grow [3]. Historical precedent for team owners becoming league commissioners includes Bud Selig, who owned the Milwaukee Brewers before becoming Major League Baseball’s lead executive in 1992 [1]. Berg currently serves as co-chair of the MLS sporting and competition committee [1][5]. The league aims to leverage record TV viewership numbers from the 2026 World Cup to secure higher valuations in future negotiations [3]. MLS clubs currently hold 18 spots on Sportico’s list of the 50 most valuable soccer teams in the world [2]. Berg’s leadership will be critical in navigating these structural and financial transitions over the coming years [4][5].

Sources

Major League Soccer Larry Berg