MLS at a crossroads as owners prepare to choose Garber's successor

MLS owners will hear final presentations Monday from LAFC co-owner Larry Berg and former Fox executive David Nathanson before an expected vote on which of them will be the league's next commissioner. It is a crucial moment for a league looking to take the next step as Don Garber, whose leadership saved MLS from folding in the 2000s and has overseen its growth to 30 clubs, winds down his tenure in charge.

Whichever finalist emerges as the owners' choice has a few key decisions in the short- and medium-term future. Here is a breakdown of the most pressing items on the next commissioner's agenda.

Big roster-rules changes by next summer

This is the most crucial item, as it drives future media-rights value and raises the seriousness with which MLS is viewed around the world. The proposal being discussed, as first reported by The Athletic, is the correct framework. It turns to a more open salary-cap structure, with a floor and ceiling, while maintaining the designated-player spots. This allows teams to spend more freely and build rosters with as much autonomy as possible.

The rule changes would aid MLS clubs trying to compete against Liga MX gigantes in the Concacaf Champions Cup. It would help teams bring in a new profile of player more easily: namely those signed in the range of a $5 million fee and $1 million salary — think in-their-prime center backs and defensive midfielders, the type of player that Tigres, Club America and Monterrey all have in abundance. Previously, a player like this would need to be a low-end DP, keeping teams from maximizing their rosters.

Another focus should be removing academy territory and homegrown restrictions on the salary cap. Sign more players, remove any hurdles to playing them. Any extension for a homegrown player until he reaches a certain threshold — perhaps age 26 or a monetary value — should not hit the cap. Clubs investing in the academy and developing players should have more first-team advantages.

Next media-rights deal

There is an argument that this is the most important task for the next commissioner. The media-rights deal with Apple TV ends in the summer of 2029, giving MLS plenty of time to plot how it wants to move forward.

Will it go for another streamer? The case for would be more money and a deal aligned with present and future media consumption. The downside is lack of visibility and worry about shoulder content around the games themselves — it is easy to get lost.

Will MLS go back to traditional TV broadcasts? The case for doing so is more visibility and prestige, plus all of the major broadcasters now have a streaming option. The downside is the lack of money on offer and, as in the past, worry about shoulder content. This will become a major story as 2029 approaches, and plenty can change in the media rights ecosystem by then.

All MLS teams in U.S. Open Cup

A quick and easy one: All MLS clubs should be in the U.S. Open Cup. If teams need to use mostly their academy graduates and reserves in the early rounds because of fixture congestion, so be it. An expanded Leagues Cup and unnecessarily long playoff structure (why is round one best of three?) are not adequate reasons to have teams miss a competition with real history. It is frustrating that this has to be addressed.

Carving out a place in Copa Libertadores

Logistically, this would be a bit of a nightmare. Contractually it would be too, given Concacaf would not want to reduce the importance or value of its own Champions Cup. But hopefully, one day, a handful of the best MLS and Liga MX teams can qualify for the Copa Libertadores, South America's continental club championship.

This one is for sure the longest shot on the wishlist, and perhaps it never happens, despite CONMEBOL's president being open to the idea. But the Copa Libertadores is the best competition in this part of the world, and while sporting merit is what matters most, let us not be naive: this would be financially beneficial for numerous parties which, unfortunately, is what matters most these days.