Bud Selig Net Worth

Bud Selig is an American former baseball executive, team owner, and the longest-serving Commissioner of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has an estimated net worth of $400 million. Best known today as the Commissioner Emeritus of Baseball, Selig’s legacy is defined by transformative innovations that reshaped the sport, his successful ownership of the Milwaukee Brewers, and his role in growing the MLB into a global financial powerhouse.

Bud Selig Net Worth: $400 Million
Date of Birth: July 30, 1934
Place of Birth: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Table of Contents

Early Life

Allan Huber “Bud” Selig was born on July 30, 1934, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Raised in a Jewish family, his love for baseball started early, attending Milwaukee Brewers minor league games with his mother and brother. He later studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he graduated with a degree in American history and political science.

After college, Selig served two years in the U.S. Army before joining his father’s car leasing business. He would remain loosely connected to the auto industry even as his focus shifted to baseball. In the 1960s, Selig became the largest public shareholder of the Milwaukee Braves before the team relocated to Atlanta, an event that fueled his lifelong mission to return Major League Baseball to Milwaukee.

Ownership of the Milwaukee Brewers

In 1970, Bud Selig achieved that dream when he purchased the bankrupt Seattle Pilots and moved them to Milwaukee, renaming them the Milwaukee Brewers. Under his leadership, he stabilized the team’s finances and helped establish the Brewers as a competitive franchise. Selig owned the team until 2005, when he sold it for $223 million, earning a massive return on his original investment.

His ownership of the Brewers not only cemented his reputation as a savvy businessman but also significantly contributed to his overall net worth.

Commissioner of Major League Baseball

Bud Selig became the acting Commissioner of Baseball in 1992, following the resignation of Fay Vincent. Two years later, he was formally appointed as the ninth Commissioner. He would go on to serve until 2015, making him the longest-tenured Commissioner in MLB history.

During his tenure, Selig oversaw major innovations, including:

The introduction of the Wild Card playoff format.
The launch of interleague play between the American and National Leagues.
The merger of the National and American Leagues under the MLB umbrella.
The establishment of the World Baseball Classic in 2006.

Financially, his leadership transformed the league. Revenues increased by more than 400 percent, and attendance reached record highs. Selig also introduced revenue sharing among teams, a move that helped smaller-market franchises remain competitive.

At the height of his career, his salary as Commissioner reached $14.5 million per year, significantly boosting his wealth.

Controversies

Despite his achievements, Selig’s era was not without controversy. His tenure was overshadowed by the steroid scandal that rocked professional baseball in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Critics accused him of being slow to address the issue, though he eventually commissioned the Mitchell Report, which investigated performance-enhancing drug use in the league.

He also faced tough scrutiny during a 2005 Congressional hearing on steroids, where his testimony was criticized for inconsistencies. Nevertheless, his contracts were renewed multiple times, a sign of his strong influence and the financial success MLB experienced under his leadership.

Real Estate and Lifestyle

In 1985, Bud Selig purchased a French Provincial-style manor in Bayside, a suburb of Milwaukee. Originally a modest 2,400-square-foot home, he extensively renovated and expanded the property over the years. By 2013, the residence had grown to nearly 5,000 square feet, with additional land, gardens, and even a sculpture area.

In 2009, he purchased the neighboring home, demolished it, and expanded his estate to span over 130,000 square feet of land. By 2013, the property was valued at $1.319 million, reflecting his taste for refinement and his financial success.

Hall of Fame Induction

Bud Selig’s contributions to baseball were formally recognized in 2017, when he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Despite criticism during his career, his role in modernizing the sport and driving its global reach earned him a lasting place in baseball history.

Bud Selig Net Worth

Today, Bud Selig’s net worth is estimated at $400 million, accumulated through his MLB commissioner salary, the lucrative sale of the Milwaukee Brewers, and other investments.

His financial success is closely tied to his vision and leadership in baseball, where he transformed the league into a multibillion-dollar enterprise. While his reputation remains mixed due to the steroid era, his impact on the sport is undeniable.