The opening of the RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center in Morristown, New Jersey, on April 22, 2026, saw MLS Commissioner Don Garber speak onstage, an event now overshadowed by a recent hacking incident involving his X account. This state-of-the-art complex, a significant development for the New York Red Bulls, has also been selected as Brazil's training home for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting its importance in the global football landscape.
Just days after the Red Bulls' facility inauguration, on April 30, Commissioner Garber's X account was reportedly "compromised." This led to a since-deleted, inflammatory post that appeared to taunt British Columbia Premier David Eby, sparking immediate controversy across the league and its fanbase.
The contentious post was a direct reply to Premier Eby's earlier video on his X account. In his 45-second message, Eby had publicly pledged his commitment to preventing the Vancouver Whitecaps from relocating, reassuring the team's fans that "The Whitecaps are British Columbia, and I want you to know that we are at the table fighting hard to save the Whitecaps."
The inflammatory response from Garber's account simply read, "Liar liar pants on fire." Approximately an hour later, Commissioner Garber issued an explanation, stating, "My account was compromised earlier this evening. The issue has been resolved. I appreciate Premier Eby for taking the time to meet with me today." MLS executive vice president of communications Dan Courtemanche further corroborated this, confirming on X that "Commissioner Garber was hacked and did not post this."
Garber, 68, who has served as the league's commissioner since 1999, was in Vancouver to attend Thursday's FIFA Congress. His visit also included crucial meetings with government leaders to discuss the uncertain future of the Vancouver Whitecaps, a team originally founded in 1974 and revived as an MLS franchise in 2009.
The Whitecaps have been listed for sale since December 2024. Despite serious conversations with over 100 interested parties, the team has stated that "no viable offer has emerged that would keep the club here." Reports from ESPN earlier this week indicated that investor groups from Phoenix and Las Vegas have expressed interest in acquiring and relocating the team, adding to the urgency of the discussions Garber was having.