Larry Berg, the incoming commissioner of Major League Soccer (MLS) set to take office in 2027, has addressed long-standing speculation regarding the potential adoption of a promotion and relegation system. During his introductory press conference on Tuesday, Berg explicitly stated that such a structure is not “appropriate” for the North American league.

Promotion and relegation, a hallmark of soccer leagues globally, allows teams to move between tiers based on performance. However, Berg dismissed the idea, suggesting that the current closed-league model is superior for the league's specific business objectives. He emphasized that the existing structure is more effective for securing the investment necessary to build stadiums and training facilities. While Berg acknowledged that he understands the appeal of the system to fans, he maintained that it is not a viable strategy for building a league in the United States and Canada.

This announcement serves as a definitive stance on a topic that has been debated by soccer enthusiasts for years. By prioritizing financial stability and infrastructure growth over the traditional sporting meritocracy found in European leagues, Berg signaled that the MLS will continue to operate under its current business model for the foreseeable future.