Incoming Major League Soccer Commissioner Larry Berg is set to take the helm of the league at the start of next year, following the long and impactful tenure of Don Garber. With a rich history of growth and success under Garber, Berg is poised to continue this trajectory, especially in light of the recent World Cup and the upcoming transition to a new international schedule.
“I think one of the reasons that I raised my hand is I feel like I have the enthusiasm and the passion to hopefully have other people, in some cases, see it through my eyes and understand where we’re going and where it can go and what it can be,” Berg said in an interview with The Associated Press. His enthusiasm for soccer is palpable, reflecting a deep commitment to the league’s future.
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As co-owner of LAFC, Berg has witnessed success firsthand, with the club winning the MLS Cup in 2022 and the Supporters’ Shield in 2019. His extensive experience in soccer ownership, which includes stakes in AS Roma and Swansea City, positions him uniquely to understand the intricacies of the league.
Berg’s appointment comes with significant responsibilities. He will oversee the league’s shift to a new calendar schedule that aligns more closely with international counterparts, moving from a winter-to-fall schedule to a summer-to-spring model. This transition is not just logistical; it represents a strategic pivot that aims to enhance the league’s global stature.
In addition to adjusting the schedule, Berg will also be tasked with negotiating a new media rights deal, as the current contract with Apple TV is set to expire in 2029. This is crucial, as media rights are a significant revenue stream for the league and can influence its growth and visibility.
Garber, who has been commissioner since 1999 and has overseen the expansion of the league from 12 to 30 teams, expressed confidence in Berg’s ability to unify the league’s ownership around a shared vision. “He’s convinced the ownership through a very comprehensive process that he has what it takes to do the two most important things, which is to create that vision, and then to get the owners to unite around it,” Garber noted.
Berg’s leadership style, characterized by collaboration and understanding, is expected to foster strong relationships within the league’s ecosystem. Columbus Crew owner Jimmy Haslam remarked on Berg’s deep involvement and understanding of the league, noting, “He understands what we do well, where we have opportunity.”
As Berg prepares to take on this pivotal role, he reflects on the journey of MLS and the opportunities that lie ahead. “This has been a passion my whole life. This sport and some of the great joys of my life have been involved in the LAFC and involved with the sporting competition committee,” he said. “But as the World Cup showed, you can be incredibly happy and very successful, but somehow there’s always more. You want to get to that next step.”
As Berg steps into the role of commissioner, the foundation laid by Garber will serve as a critical launching point. With the league at an exciting juncture, the future of Major League Soccer looks promising under Berg’s leadership.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
