Larry Berg
Larry Berg | |
|---|---|
 Larry Berg after being named MLS commissioner-elect, August 2026 | |
| Education | Harvard Business School (MBA) |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Known for | Co-founder of Los Angeles FC Commissioner-elect ofMajor League Soccer |
Larry Berg is an American private equity executive and sports owner. He is the co-founder of Los Angeles FC and is the commissioner-elect of Major League Soccer. Berg is scheduled to succeed Don Garber on January 1, 2027.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Berg was raised in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He played youth soccer there and later played at Cherry Hill High School East, graduating in 1984. His high school team competed in the New Jersey state championship.[2][3] He spent one year at the University of North Carolina before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the Wharton School. He later received an MBA from Harvard Business School.[2]
Career
[edit]Berg was a senior partner at Apollo Global Management, a private equity firm, from 1992 to 2022.[4] He served as a director of McGraw-Hill Education beginning in 2013 and as chairman from 2014.[5][6] In September 2023, Berg joined 26North Partners, an alternatives platform founded by Josh Harris, as a partner in its private equity group.[7] He later moved to an advisory role and said he would leave 26North as he prepared to become MLS commissioner.[8]
Berg was a founding partner of Los Angeles FC and became the club's lead managing owner in 2016.[1][6] He was named to Major League Soccer's sporting and competition committee and later became co-chair.[6]
Major League Soccer
[edit]On August 3, 2026, the Major League Soccer Board of Governors selected Berg to succeed Don Garber as league commissioner in January 2027. He was chosen over former Fox Sports executive David Nathanson following a succession process begun in late 2025.[1] Berg is expected to divest his stake in LAFC before taking office.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 Silverman, Alex (August 3, 2026). "Larry Berg to become new MLS commissioner Jan. 1". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- 1 2 Sullivan, Becky (August 5, 2026). "MLS named LAFC co-owner Larry Berg as its next commissioner. Here's what to know". NPR. Retrieved August 5, 2026.
- ↑ Rimback, Tom (August 6, 2026). "Cherry Hill's Berg named Major League Soccer commissioner". Courier-Post. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
- ↑ Tan, Gillian (May 5, 2022). "Apollo's Larry Berg, a Private Equity Senior Partner, to Retire". Bloomberg News. Retrieved August 5, 2026.
- ↑ "Amendment No. 3 to Form S-1". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. September 26, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Reuter, Jeff; Abnos, Alexander; Iglesias Maurer, Pablo (August 3, 2026). "LAFC co-managing owner Larry Berg voted as next MLS commissioner". The Guardian. Retrieved August 5, 2026.
- ↑ "26North Announces Addition of Seven Partners, Launches Direct Lending Team" (Press release). PR Newswire. September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
- ↑ Novy-Williams, Eben (August 5, 2026). "Larry Berg Will Give Up PE Role in MLS Commissioner Transition". Sportico. Retrieved September 17, 2026.