New MLS commissioner says promotion and relegation are not

New MLS commissioner says promotion and relegation are not

According to Sports.

Why this matters

The comments from Larry Berg, the new commissioner of the MLS, are crucial for the future of the league. His stance on not implementing promotion and relegation could affect the way MLS clubs like Los Angeles FC and Columbus Crew operate. This could also impact infrastructure investments and player development in the league.

Key points

• New MLS commissioner says promotion and relegation are not.
• Larry Berg, the new commissioner of the MLS, confirmed that promotion and relegation will not be introduced any time soon and stated that there are other ways to stimulate competition.
• New MLS commissioner says promotion and relegation won't be coming 'anytime soon' - Yahoo Sports.

Larry Berg presented himself for the first time as the new commissioner of Major League Soccer (MLS) during a press conference on Tuesday. He will officially take up his position in 2027, but he made it clear that the promotion and relegation system common in many other leagues around the world will not be implemented in MLS anytime soon.

Berg, who is co-owner of Los Angeles FC and the new boss of the MLS, indicated that he does not think the idea of ​​promotion and relegation is suitable for the North American league. "I can understand the appeal for fans, but I don't think it's a good way to build a league. It doesn't help build stadiums, create training facilities or encourage owners to invest in squads," Berg said.

He added: "The great thing about promotion and relegation for fans is that the stakes are quite high. But I think there are other ways to create stakes during the regular season and also during the play-offs to get through to the next round. That's what we want to focus on."

Founded in 1996, MLS has a unique structure in which the league's central office manages the ownership rights of all teams and player contracts. This structure has played an important role in reducing risks and attracting the first investors. Promotion and relegation was not implemented, partly because there were not enough teams to make it viable and also because of the risk it posed to team owners, who not only manage their own team but also function as investors and operators for the league itself.

Although the United States has a second division competition – the USL Championship – there has been no cooperation between these organizations since the Covid-19 pandemic, especially after MLS teams withdrew their reserve teams from the USL.

Since its inception, MLS has grown from just 10 teams at the turn of this century to 30 teams by 2026, a rapid expansion that offers the possibility that the league could grow further and implement an internal version of promotion and relegation; an MLS1 and MLS2, so to speak.

“I don't think it's appropriate for our league,” Berg said. “I think [outgoing Commissioner] Don Garber has said before, 'never say never,' but I don't see it happening anytime soon.”

These comments represent Berg's most direct policy statement in his first public appearance as an incoming commissioner, before a small group of MLS employees and some journalists. Garber, along with succession committee co-chairs Jimmy Haslam (co-owner of Columbus Crew) and Bennett Rosenthal (co-owner of LAFC), also attended the press conference.

Berg was chosen for the position at a meeting of MLS owners on Monday, completing a process that Haslam said started with "125 different men and women." “Some were in sports, others in media, technology or just business,” Haslam said.

The selection was ultimately narrowed down to Berg and David Nathanson, a former Fox Sports executive. In addition to his co-ownership of LAFC, Berg also has a minority stake in Italian Serie A club Roma and Welsh club Swansea City, which plays in the English league system and last reached the Premier League in the 2017-18 season.

Berg also has a long history in private equity, having spent 30 years at Apollo Global Management and most recently as a senior partner at 26North. When asked if his background in private equity would influence his approach as commissioner, Berg noted it would be an advantage because he wants to talk to "experts in the room."

“I think there are a lot of characteristics in private equity that apply to other things, which isn't surprising. It's about a sense of urgency, about rolling up your sleeves, asking big questions and uniting people around a common goal. Ultimately, this is a governance function with 30 owners and many stakeholders,” Berg said.

What's happening now

With Berg at the helm, we can expect the focus of MLS to be on improving the league without the risk of promotion and relegation. This could lead to new initiatives to make the competition more exciting, both during the regular season and in the play-offs. The coming years will be crucial for the development of MLS under his leadership.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Larry Berg say about promotion and relegation in MLS?

Larry Berg has indicated that the promotion and relegation system will not be introduced in the MLS anytime soon.

Who is Larry Berg?

Larry Berg is the new commissioner of Major League Soccer (MLS) and co-owner of Los Angeles FC.

Why is there no promotion and relegation in the MLS?

Berg believes that promotion and relegation is not suitable for the North American competition, because it does not help build stadiums and stimulate investments.

When will Larry Berg officially assume his position as commissioner?

Larry Berg will officially assume his position as commissioner of the MLS in 2027.

What is the structure of the MLS?

The MLS has a unique structure where the central office manages the ownership rights of all teams and player contracts.

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