MLS' Don Garber Takes Home Executive Of The Year Award

After 20 years as commissioner of MLS, Don Garber took home one of the most coveted Sports Business Awards last night: Executive of the Year. “Having worked for Paul Tagliabue for many years, he was my model,” said Garber, who spent 16 years at the NFL before taking over MLS in '99. “Over the past 20 years, many times I have asked myself, ‘What would Paul do?’” Even Tagliabue would have to be impressed by what Garber has done. MLS highlights over the past year included the successful launch of LAFC, the formal announcement of a new team in Austin and plans for further expansion, plus huge crowds in Atlanta for the All-Star Game and the MLS Cup. “When will soccer in America make it?” Garber said on stage after receiving the award. “We hear that all the the time. When I see what’s going on tonight with the award for Atlanta United (for Sports Team of the Year), so many nominations and the wonderful job we’ve seen done with LAFC, that question has been answered; soccer has made it in our country.”