The Impact of Superstardom on Major League Soccer: Insights from Don Garber

In a recent episode of Boardroom Talks, the league commissioner Don Garber sat down with Boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman, a minority owner of the Philadelphia Union, to discuss his career in sports and the evolution of Major League Soccer (MLS). The conversation covered a wide range of topics, from Garber's early days in the NFL to the impact of superstardom on the league, and the scalability of MLS and the modern fan.

Garber's journey to MLS began with a job in the NFL, which jump-started his career. He shared insights on how managing sports owners can be a nuanced task, and how the partnership with Apple TV paved the way for other sports teams to follow suit. He also discussed the impact of superstardom brought on by players like Lionel Messi and David Beckham.

"Even I didn't realize the power, the influence, the awareness, that Leo has around the world," Garber told Boardroom. "I see pink Messi jerseys wherever I go. We, in America, have so many great sports stars. They're basketball stars and hockey stars and baseball stars. But there's one Messi. If you were going to ask everybody – maybe not Cristiano Ronaldo – but you ask every coach, every player in the world, who the best player ever to play the game is? It's Messi, and we're living with him."

Garber also shared his thoughts on the scalability of MLS and the archetype of the modern fan. He discussed the health and safety of players and what fans can expect from the 2026 World Cup, likening the global event to the NFL’s Super Bowl.

The full conversation between Garber and Boardroom is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the inner workings of MLS and the impact of superstardom on the sport. With Garber's vast experience and insights, it's clear that he's learned a thing or two over his two-plus decades leading the league.