Major League Soccer has narrowed its search for a new leader to three specific candidates. According to a source confirmed to ESPN, the shortlist of MLS commissioner finalists to succeed Don Garber includes LAFC co-owner Larry Berg, 49ers Enterprises president Paraag Marathe, and former Fox executive David Nathanson. This selection process aims to fill the highest executive office in the North American soccer league as the organization prepares for a leadership transition.
Larry Berg and Paraag Marathe Among Candidates
Larry Berg enters the final selection stage with direct experience in league operations through his role as co-owner of Los Angeles Football Club. Joining him is Paraag Marathe, who currently serves as the president of 49ers Enterprises. These two individuals represent the ownership and executive management tiers of major professional sports franchises, bringing diverse administrative backgrounds to the final three-person pool.
David Nathanson Rounds Out the Shortlist
The third finalist for the position is David Nathanson, a former executive at Fox. His inclusion adds a media and broadcasting perspective to the group of potential successors. The selection of these three specific names indicates the league is moving into the final phases of its recruitment process to replace the long-standing leadership of Don Garber.
Next Steps for MLS Leadership
With the list now down to Berg, Marathe, and Nathanson, the league has moved past the broader search phase. No official timeline for a final decision was provided by the source, but the identification of these three individuals marks the definitive narrowing of the field. Each candidate represents a different sector of sports business, from club ownership and NFL-affiliated enterprise management to television executive experience.