MLS News: Commissioner Don Garber signs five-year contract until 2023



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En route to his 21st year as the league's general manager, the 61-year-old is ready for a longer stay at the helm.

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber has signed a new contract that will keep him until at least 2023, the league announced on Thursday.

The MLS Board of Governors has approved the new five-year contract, although the financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.

Garber's 61-year contract with the league was due to expire at the end of 2018.

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Garber, who also serves on the US board, has been overseeing MLS for 20 years. He succeeded Doug Logan in 1999 as the league struggled in its debut after its first year of play in 1996.

Prior to running MLS, Garber had worked for the National Football League and was the Senior Vice President of NFL International.

While initially taking control of a 12-team league, two teams were meeting by the end of 2001, leaving only 10 teams and several franchises managed by owner groups unique.

However, after this low point, the league has since grown, eliminating the need for a single owner to control multiple MLS franchises, the last of which ended in 2015 when the sale of Houston Dynamo was sold.

MLS now has 24 teams, with FC Cincinnati joining the league this season. Three more expansion teams will join us in the coming years. Inter Miami CF and Nashville David Beckham are scheduled to start playing in 2020, while Austin FC will start in 2021.

Garber also oversaw the addition of the designated player post, set up in 2007 to allow Beckham to join LA Galaxy while respecting the league's salary cap rules.

Over the next few years, the league allowed for up to three designated player contracts, as well as other ways to bring in better paid players.

In addition, under Garber's leadership, the league introduced the mandatory operation of Youth Development Academies in 2008.

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Twenty MLS teams also play in a football stadium, unlike a stadium, the Columbus MAPFRE stadium, when Garber took office in 1999.

These changes have contributed to the growth and value of the league, which has seen its franchise values ​​increase over the last decade.

Garber will oversee his 21st year at the helm as the new MLS season kicks off on March 2nd.

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