Union

The New MLS Commissioner is a Cherry Hill Guy

By Matt Schultz

Published: Aug 4th, 2026 · 4:35 PM EDT

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The news:

Introducing the next MLS Commissioner: Larry Berg.

Berg will assume the role on January 1, 2027 — Don Garber will remain Commissioner through 2026 before transitioning to Chairman in 2027.

Details: https://t.co/u68JuzrLeO pic.twitter.com/BNDcG4Zbe5

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 3, 2026

Cherry Hill, the international incubator of sports leadership, has done it again: native Larry Berg will be the new MLS commissioner. Berg was a co-owner of LAFC before being voted into his new position. He will now succeed Don Garber, who’s been MLS commissioner since 1999.

That’s a pretty long reign for a commissioner. Berg is stepping into a role that’s been occupied for almost thirty years, and will have to find a way to capitalize on the popularity of the World Cup that just wrapped in North America last month. That seems like it should be the priority. What is MLS going to do to convert as many casual American World Cup viewers into MLS fans? Can they do it? What’s the move? Will MLS try some new stuff? Do they have any big swings to take? I do not know the answers. But I am positive Larry Berg does. He is from Cherry Hill. He is ready. 

As we all know, the greater Cherry Hill region is a training ground for some of the most respected/feared titans of sports in all the world. The shopping epicenter of Camden County has produced some of the most powerful industry goliaths on the planet, including:

Leon Rose: The president of basketball operations for the New York Knicks who, more importantly, used to be involved at the Cherry Hill JCC where I play rec league basketball. I think the courts might be named for him. I’d have to check. Feel like I heard that somewhere. 

Cathy Engelbert: The commissioner of the WNBA who, from my cursory knowledge of the league, is not very well liked. But that does not matter. Sports business is not a popularity contest. It’s about making money, which Cathy seems to be decent at. She secured a big media deal for her league. That’s not nothing. The WNBA is on ESPN constantly, which I don’t think anyone really asked for, but she managed to make it happen anyway. Cathy keeps adding expansion teams, too. That’s gotta be making somebody somewhere a lot of money. And, most importantly, she’s from Collingswood. She went to Collingswood High School.

(Also, her father Kurt Engelbert played basketball at Saint Joe’s; in 1956-57, he averaged 20.3 PPG and 13.8 RPG and was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the fourth round of the NBA Draft. Just learned this. This is important.) 

And that’s the list. But that’s pretty good. Two good ones. Powerhouses.

And now there’s Larry Berg. Welcome to the adult table, Larry. Make Cherry Hill proud. And outwardly favor the Union. Why not? You can do this. You’re the boss now.