On the 571st Sporticast episode, hosts Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams discuss some of the biggest sports business stories of the week, including the latest in the search for MLS’ next commissioner.
Last week the process was down to three finalists, Sportico was first to report. Then San Francisco 49ers executive Paraag Marathe (pronounced mar-AHH-tay) withdrew his name from contention, leaving just LAFC co-owner Larry Berg and longtime sports media executive David Nathanson.
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The hosts break down the two candidates. Berg is the league insider. He has spent time as LAFC’s control owner, helping build one of the league’s most valuable and most successful clubs. He knows the other owners, understands MLS economics, and is well respected in the room. His background is in finance, having worked at private equity giant Apollo.
Nathanson has media experience, which is especially relevant for MLS. The league’s Apple deal is ending early, putting an added emphasis on its next round of media deals. Hiring Nathanson would be a nod to how important that decision will be. He also has soccer ownership experience, with equity in both NWSL club Angel City and MLS’s Seattle Sounders.
The hosts discuss the two options and debate some open questions. Now that current commissioner Don Garber’s contract expires in the middle of the 2027-28 season, will the transition happy earlier or later? And why didn’t MLS have a commissioner-in-waiting during the World Cup this month, when he or she could have spent time with the sport’s entire global power structure?
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The hosts also talk about Fanatics Fest, and recap some small parts of the World Cup, which ended Sunday with a Spain championship.
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