Major League Soccer’s hunt for a new commissioner to eventually replace Don Garber has reportedly reached its final stage, with three leading candidates emerging. The shortlist includes Los Angeles FC co-owner Larry Berg, 49ers Enterprises president Paraag Marathe, and former Fox executive David Nathanson. Garber, who has held the commissioner’s position since 1999, remains under contract with the league until 2027.

According to Sportico, all three candidates are expected to present their proposals to MLS owners in the coming weeks as the league advances its succession planning process.

Garber’s current agreement extends through the end of 2027, adding complexity to the transition. When he renewed his contract in July 2024, it was originally scheduled to conclude during the MLS offseason. However, with the league shifting its schedule to a summer-to-spring format, his deal will now expire midway through the 2027-28 campaign. This adjustment could mean Garber either steps down earlier than anticipated or continues for a few extra months to ensure a smooth transition.

In a statement, MLS declined to confirm the identities of the reported finalists but acknowledged that the process remains active. “Major League Soccer’s Board of Governors has been engaged in a comprehensive succession planning process,” the league said. “As part of that effort, a number of highly qualified individuals have been considered. The MLS Succession Committee is working with the Commissioner and the Board on this ongoing process.”

Each of the three finalists brings a distinct professional background and skill set to the table.

Larry Berg has been part of LAFC’s ownership group since the club’s entry into MLS in 2018 and previously served as its lead managing owner for four years. Before his involvement in football, he spent three decades at Apollo Global Management, gaining extensive experience in business and investment management.

Paraag Marathe has been associated with the San Francisco 49ers for a quarter of a century and currently oversees the team’s external business operations through 49ers Enterprises. He also serves as chairman of Leeds United following the group’s acquisition of the Premier League club in 2025, demonstrating his extensive leadership experience across global sports ventures.

David Nathanson, meanwhile, has a strong background in sports media, having spent 20 years at Fox Sports before taking on roles within various sporting organisations. He is an investor in both the Seattle Kraken and Angel City FC and became part of the Seattle Sounders’ ownership consortium in 2019.

The MLS Succession Committee was formed late last year to oversee the transition, led by LAFC co-owner Bennett Rosenthal and Columbus Crew owner Jimmy Haslam. Initially, the league engaged The Miles Group as an advisory partner before appointing Korn Ferry to conduct the formal search process.

Garber has consistently stated his intention to fulfil his current contract and help manage a seamless leadership handover. However, with MLS’s transition to a new calendar format, the league may need to reassess the timing of his departure to align with the evolving schedule.

The next commissioner will inherit a league that has grown to 30 clubs under Garber’s stewardship and is poised for another transformative era, including negotiations for a new media rights deal and continued expansion of its global footprint.