MLS commissioner search narrows to three finalists
Succession Process Underway
The search for a successor to Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber has reached its final stages, with three individuals identified as finalists. These candidates are Los Angeles FC co-owner Larry Berg, 49ers Enterprises president Paraag Marathe, and former Fox executive David Nathanson. Multiple individuals familiar with the process have indicated that these three are set to meet with MLS owners for presentations in the coming weeks. The details of these meetings are private.
A representative for MLS confirmed that the league’s Board of Governors has been involved in a comprehensive succession planning process. This effort has considered several highly qualified individuals. The MLS succession committee is currently working with the commissioner and the Board on this ongoing process.
Korn Ferry, a firm retained to assist the league’s succession committee, has not yet commented on the matter. Similarly, Berg, Nathanson, and Marathe have not responded to requests for comment.
Garber has served as MLS commissioner since 1999. His current contract is set to conclude at the end of 2027. The league’s recent decision to shift its calendar means this expiration date now falls in the middle of the 2027-28 season, rather than the offseason, which could lead to Garber either extending his tenure by a few months or departing slightly earlier. Garber has stated his intention to fulfill his contract and support the succession process. He noted in a May episode of Sportico Sports Business Presented by Endava that he will have been commissioner for nearly 30 years, a significant duration for any role.
Diverse Backgrounds of Candidates
The three finalists bring a variety of professional backgrounds to the selection process. Larry Berg has extensive familiarity with MLS, having been part of LAFC’s ownership since the club’s debut in 2018. He also served a four-year period as the control owner for the team. LAFC paid an expansion fee of $110 million at the time of its founding. The club is now valued at $1.4 billion, ranking second in Sportico’s MLS team valuations, behind Inter Miami CF, which is valued at $1.45 billion.
David Nathanson‘s background is primarily in media, a relevant area given the league’s upcoming need for a new television deal. Nathanson spent 20 years in television, predominantly with Fox Sports. He has also served on the boards of Excel Sports Management, FanDuel, Therabody, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation. Nathanson was a founding investor in the NHL‘s Seattle Kraken and the NWSL‘s Angel City FC. In 2019, he joined the ownership group of the MLS club Seattle Sounders.
Paraag Marathe comes from the San Francisco 49ers organization, which has a presence in the highest-earning sports league globally. Marathe has been with the 49ers for 25 years, holding various roles on both the football and business sides, including chief operating officer and team president. In 2018, he was appointed president of 49ers Enterprises, which manages the NFL club’s external business ventures. These ventures include Premier League club Leeds United, in which 49ers Enterprises first invested in 2018 and took full control of last year. Marathe’s role as chief contract negotiator for the 49ers has been significant in managing the team’s salary cap. His potential departure could impact how the team handles its contracts and salary cap in the future.
Historical Context of the Commissioner Role
When Garber was appointed commissioner 27 years ago, MLS was in its early years of operation and faced challenges in establishing itself. He has since overseen substantial growth within the league, which now features 30 franchises. The average valuation of an MLS team is $767 million. On Sportico’s list of the 50 most valuable soccer teams globally, MLS clubs account for 18 positions, more than any other league.
The succession committee, formed late last year, is chaired by LAFC co-owner Bennett Rosenthal and Columbus Crew owner Jimmy Haslam. This committee initially engaged The Miles Group (TMG) for advisory support before hiring Korn Ferry to manage the search process more directly.
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Source: sportico.com
