Don Garber and Larry Berg now share a date on the calendar, though the 27 years separating their announcements as incoming MLS commissioners probably matters more than the shared anniversary. Berg, who officially won the votes Monday, steps into the top job on New Year’s Day, and he is already throwing down the gauntlet by calling out the league’s “relevancy problem.”
The Torch Passes, The Challenge Remains
Garber has been the man in charge for ages, leading MLS from a “fractured, malnourished ecosystem” to a full-blown professional operation. He’s built the infrastructure, secured financial viability, and cultivated a healthy supporter base in the U.S. Garber even called Berg, an LAFC co-owner since 2014 (who will divest before taking the reins), a “byproduct” of all that investment. That’s a huge legacy to inherit. But here’s the kicker: despite all that progress, and even with high-caliber stars like Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi lighting up the pitch, MLS still hasn’t fully broken through. It feels “cloistered away” from other major American sports and even global soccer leagues. That’s the core issue Berg is looking to tackle.
Berg’s Vision: Quality on the Field
Berg isn’t shying away from the truth. He’s saying, “the foundation has been built,” which is a nod to Garber’s incredible work, but he’s also making it clear that the league can’t rest on its laurels. His pitch is built around two key things: “quality of play” and getting “consensus amongst the ownership groups.” This isn’t about protecting what’s already there; it’s about pushing forward. Berg put it plainly: “I didn’t accept this role to protect what we’ve already accomplished. I accepted it because I believe this league is ready for its next chapter… The platform is in place. The infrastructure is in place. The opportunity is in front of us. Now it’s time to pull the right levers, make the right decisions and build on everything that’s been created.” Bennett Rosenthal, a fellow LAFC co-owner, confirmed that Berg has a “list of ‘greatest hits’” or a long-term vision he’s been consistent about. So, what’s his number one priority? “It all starts with quality on the field.”
Larry Berg doesn’t officially take over until New Year’s Day, but his remarks are already signaling a major shift. The league has built its base; now it’s time to see what “pulling the right levers” actually looks like to elevate the game’s quality and finally solve that relevancy problem.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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