MLS commissioner Don Garber signs new contract through 2027 season. What to know

MIAMI – Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber has signed a new contract to continue his role through the 2027 season.

Garber — who has been MLS commissioner since Aug. 4, 1999 — confirmed his new deal Thursday while attending the FIFA Club World Cup group draw. Financial terms were not disclosed by the league.

“I signed the contract over the summer and for me, it’s another day in the life of the commissioner,” Garber told USA TODAY Sports. “I’m excited to stick around for a few more years."

More: FIFA Club World Cup group draw: Inter Miami, Seattle Sounders know their opponents

In his 25 years in charge, Garber as overseen exponential growth of the league. Particularly, the number of expansion teams and the price tags on those teams have ballooned, along with the construction of soccer-specific stadiums across the country.

“I started with this league when it had 10 teams and no stadiums," Garber said. "Here we are. Yesterday, we broke ground on our 26th stadium in New York City – 11 years in the making.

“The work isn’t done. There’s still work to do."

Garber has been jet-setting between those stadiums this week and will be in Los Angeles by Thursday night, ahead of Saturday’s MLS Cup final between Los Angeles Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls.

Upon arriving in South Florida on Wednesday night, he visited with Lionel Messi’s family. Earlier Wednesday he was at New York City FC's stadium groundbreaking for Etihad Park in Queens, set to open in 2027.

Garber’s contract, which was set to expire after the 2024 season, keeps him in tow during the 2025 Club World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States this summer and feature MLS' Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders United States, and the 2026 World Cup jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLS commissioner Don Garber signs new contract through 2027 season