MLS saw a bevy of successes in its 20th season, ranging from record attendance, to the launch of a new domestic media rights deal, to two successful club debuts in Orlando and N.Y., leading to the league taking home the Sports Business Award for Sports League of the Year. Speaking after accepting the award alongside a group of the league’s senior execs, Commissioner Don Garber said that while he was proud of everything the league had accomplished in the last year, its focus remains the same. “It’s not just about last year, or some years ahead,” he said. “It’s about a deep, long commitment to growing the sport of soccer in the United States and Canada. If we can continue to do that, then we’ll continue to be successful.” During his acceptance speech, Garber noted the contributions made by many of the league’s long-standing executives, such as President & Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott and SUM President Kathy Carter. He also joked that the league had oft been a runner-up in this category, likening it to Susan Lucci. The league has won the award once, back in '08. “It has taken some time for soccer to really get recognized for the impact it has in the sports industry, “he said. “Now, it’s changing.”
