MLS says commissioner’s account was hacked after taunting Vancouver Whitecaps

Major League Soccer says commissioner Don Garber’s X account was hacked Wednesday after it posted a reply to British Columbia Premier David Eby calling him a liar.

A schoolyard jeer for liar, to be specific.

Garber’s account commented “Liar, liar pants on fire” in response to a post from Eby pledging to fight to keep the Vancouver Whitecaps from relocating. The comment was quickly deleted. MLS chief communications officer Dan Courtemanche issued a statement saying, “Commissioner Garber was hacked and did not post this.”

The timing is hard to ignore.

Garber is in Vancouver for FIFA Congress events, in the middle of a contentious negotiations with the same premier his account just insulted. The league has been actively discussing moving the Whitecaps to Las Vegas. Eby just released a video saying the province is “at the table fighting hard” to keep the team in Vancouver. Garber’s account replied with the taunt.

MLS commissioner Don Garber during an event in New Jersey.

Garber has not been subtle about his frustrations. He made that clear at the Associated Press’ Commissioners’ meetings.

“The Whitecaps are a tenant in BC Place. That’s run by a public entity. They control no revenue,” he said. “It’s reaching a critical point. If we can’t get a better dynamic in that with BC Place, I don’t know how we stay.”

Vancouver’s lease at the BC Place expires at the end of 2026, with no long-term stadium solution in place. Garber has not ruled out relocation as early as 2027, which would mark the first MLS franchise move in over two decades.

Eby called the meeting with MLS on Wednesday “constructive” and said he plans to meet with Garber again.