MLS retain Korn Ferry to support Don Garber succession planning

The decision formalises the league’s next-commissioner planning and indicates the process has moved beyond internal scenario work into an external search and evaluation structure.An MLS spokesperson said: “As part of the comprehensive organizational review initiated last year to evaluate MLS’ leadership structure, operational effectiveness, and long-term governance, the Board of Governors and Commissioner Garber have retained an executive search firm to support succession planning.“This step reflects responsible long-term planning and is aligned with the league’s broader evolution.”Garber has led MLS since 1999 and has overseen the league’s modern expansion era, including franchise growth, stadium development, commercial scale-up and broader media-rights positioning. With the commissioner role central to league strategy and investor confidence, the use of a global search firm signals a governance-heavy approach to continuity and transition planning.MLS have not announced a timetable for a decision or named any candidates, and the process does not in itself confirm when Garber will step down. However, bringing in Korn Ferry provides a framework to identify and assess potential successors, manage stakeholder expectations and avoid a compressed timeline as the contract end-date approaches.