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MLS Welcomes New Commissioner Larry Berg

ESPN Soccer •
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Major League Soccer is set to usher in a new era with Larry Berg taking over as commissioner in 2027, succeeding Don Garber. Berg, who has a personal connection to the sport and prior experience co-owning LAFC, expressed his excitement for MLS's "next chapter" and emphasized building upon the league's strong foundation.

Berg's immediate priorities are expected to include evolving roster rules, which currently limit talent acquisition and squad depth, as seen in the disparity with Liga MX in international competitions. He also highlighted the importance of youth development, aiming to improve player progression and feed into national teams, acknowledging that more can be done despite existing academies.

Furthermore, the league will need to address its media rights deal, which is up for renewal by 2029. While the current partnership with Apple TV offers comprehensive coverage, Berg is open to exploring new media partners to potentially enhance accessibility and revenue. Berg plans to spend his initial months meeting with owners to gather their perspectives on these crucial issues.