Major League Soccer owners are scheduled to vote on Monday to select the league's first new commissioner in 27 years. The vote will determine who succeeds Don Garber, who has led the league since 1999.
LAFC co-owner Larry Berg and former Fox executive David Nathanson are reportedly the finalists for the position, according to Sports Business Journal. Both candidates are expected to make final presentations to the board before owners cast their votes. Berg is considered the front-runner.
Berg currently serves on the MLS board of governors and co-chairs the league's sporting and competition committee. Nathanson was involved in Fox's successful bid for the 2018, 2022, and 2026 World Cup broadcast rights and holds a stake in the Seattle Sounders.
The successor will likely be required to relinquish any ownership stake they hold in an MLS club. Garber is expected to remain in his role through the 2026 season, with the transition to the new commissioner planned for January 2027.
Earlier this month, MLS confirmed that its board of governors has been involved in a comprehensive succession planning process, considering numerous qualified individuals. The league's succession committee is collaborating with the commissioner and the board on this ongoing process.
Garber's nearly three-decade tenure has been marked by significant growth in the league's value and expansion in the number of teams. He recently reflected on the league's progress, particularly regarding player salaries, stating that he felt good about the current compensation for players, with many earning more in MLS than overseas. He also noted the league's success in signing young homegrown talent to competitive contracts.