MLS commissioner Don Garber says the league has no plans to look into New York City FC despite a financial scandal involving the club's sister team, Manchester City, that could still bring harsh penalties against the Premier League side.
Speaking at Front Office Sports' "Tuned In" summit in midtown Manhattan on Tuesday, Garber told attendees that MLS "was not in the business of looking what our team owners do in other leagues."
NYCFC and Manchester City are both owned by City Football Group, the holding company with stakes in clubs around the world. Last month, an independent commission ruled that Manchester City was guilty of more than 100 charges related to the Premier League's financial regulations, a decision that raised questions in New York over whether MLS would examine how NYCFC conducts its own business.
Garber did not express concern when the topic was raised in relation to NYCFC. "We're fortunate that we have owners in our league that own multiple teams throughout every league. ... So MLS is looking at how owners act in accordance to our rules here in Major League Soccer," he said, before praising City Football Group's investment in NYCFC and the club's new stadium opening next to Citi Field next summer.
Garber called that investment "something we're thankful for and appreciative of."
"But we're not in the business of looking what our team owners do in other leagues and frankly, I don't think any league would view what other owners do when they have multiple investments throughout other sports," he continued. "The concept of multiple team ownership is something that we all live through, manage through and have our own governance as it relates to what their behavior is."
NYCFC has struggled on the field since the World Cup break ended, winning just three matches in regular season play since play resumed.
The Manchester City situation has also raised questions about whether American teenager Cavan Sullivan will stick with his plan to join the Premier League club when he turns 18. Sullivan signed a contract with the Philadelphia Union in 2024 that included a pre-arranged transfer to Manchester City. Garber said on Tuesday that any decision on that move would be made by Sullivan, his family and Manchester City.
