MLS Commissioner Don Garber signs contract extension through 2027

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber has signed a contract extension, approved by the MLS Board of Governors, that will keep him in the role through Dec. 31, 2027, the league announced Wednesday.

The commissioner, who has been in place since 1999, has overseen a tenure of unprecedented growth for the league, which will officially expand to 30 teams next year. Financial terms of his contract were not disclosed.

MLS has changed exponentially since Garber took over. The league had just 12 franchises when the former NFL executive became Commissioner. And although a few folded in the early 2000s, Garber has overseen vast expansion. Crucial moments of his tenure include the arrival of David Beckham in 2007, Lionel Messi moving to Miami, and the subsequent securing of a bumper Apple TV deal for the league's global broadcast rights.

The Commissioner has speculated that the MLS model could be a valuable point of learning for global soccer clubs: "If you were to ask the people that are running some of the big European leagues, they'd say, 'Boy, MLS has got it right."

The Commissioner will be in charge for three more years. His immediate focus is MLS Cup, where New York Red Bulls and LA Galaxy will play this Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park.