Three finalists emerge for MLS commissioner role
The search for a successor to Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber has narrowed to three finalists. These individuals are Los Angeles FC co-owner Larry Berg, 49ers Enterprises president Paraag Marathe, and former Fox executive David Nathanson. Multiple sources familiar with the process have indicated that these three candidates are scheduled to present to MLS owners in the coming weeks.
The league confirmed that its Board of Governors has been involved in a comprehensive succession planning process, considering several qualified individuals. The MLS succession committee is collaborating with the commissioner and the Board on this ongoing effort. Representatives for Korn Ferry, a firm retained to assist the succession committee, did not immediately provide comment. Similarly, Berg, Nathanson, and Marathe did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Candidates bring diverse backgrounds
The three finalists offer varied professional backgrounds. Larry Berg possesses direct experience within the league, having been part of LAFC‘s ownership since its inception in 2018, including a four-year period as the control owner. LAFC was founded with a then-record expansion fee of $110 million and is now valued at $1.4 billion, ranking second in team valuations behind Inter Miami CF at $1.45 billion.
David Nathanson‘s expertise lies in media, a critical area for the league as it faces the need for a new television deal sooner than initially anticipated. Nathanson spent two decades in television, primarily with Fox Sports. He has also served on the boards of Excel Sports Management, FanDuel, Therabody, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation. His investment history includes being a founding investor in the NHL‘s Seattle Kraken and the NWSL‘s Angel City FC, and he joined the ownership group of MLS‘ Seattle Sounders in 2019.
Paraag Marathe comes from the San Francisco 49ers organization, which is part of the world’s richest sports league. He also has direct soccer experience, serving as chairman of Leeds United, an English soccer team that the 49ers gained full control of last year. Marathe has been with the San Francisco 49ers for 25 years, holding roles such as chief operating officer and team president. In 2018, he was appointed president of 49ers Enterprises, which manages the NFL club’s external business ventures, including Leeds United, in which they first invested in 2018 and took full control of in 2025.
Marathe has also been a key figure in the 49ers‘ front office, particularly as chief contract negotiator, helping the club manage the NFL‘s salary cap. His potential departure could impact the team’s future contract and salary cap management.
Garber’s tenure and succession timeline
Don Garber has served as MLS commissioner since 1999. His current contract is set to run through the end of 2027. This presents a unique situation because, when the contract was issued in July 2024, its expiration date fell during the league’s offseason. However, due to a recent decision to change the league’s calendar, the end of the contract now falls in the middle of the 2027-28 season. It is considered likely that Garber might either extend his tenure for a few months or depart a few months earlier than planned.
Garber has stated his intention to see out his contract and to support the succession process. He noted in May that he will have been commissioner for nearly 30 years, describing it as a significant period in any role. When Garber was appointed 27 years ago, MLS was in its early stages and facing challenges. Under his leadership, the league has experienced substantial growth, now comprising 30 franchises with an average valuation of $767 million. MLS clubs currently hold 18 spots on a list of the 50 most valuable soccer teams globally, more than any other league.
The succession committee, co-chaired by LAFC co-owner Bennett Rosenthal and Columbus Crew owner Jimmy Haslam, was established late last year. This committee initially engaged The Miles Group (TMG) for advisory support before later hiring Korn Ferry to manage the search process more directly.
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Source: sportico.com
