Anne Ryman

The Republic | azcentral.com

Selig will also help bring prominent sports speakers to ASU

Served as baseball's commissioner for 22 years

Selig and his wife, Suzanne, own a home in the Valley

Former Major League Baseball Commissioner Allan "Bud" Selig will join the Sports Law and Business program at Arizona State University's law school.

ASU officials said Selig will teach and will be the founding president of an advisory board to the program. He'll also spearhead an initiative to bring in speakers as part of the Bud Selig Speaker Series on Sports in America.

Selig, in a statement, called joining the program a great honor and privilege.

"I am particularly excited because my wife and I have our second home here, and I am pleased to have this opportunity to give back to the great state of Arizona," he said.

Selig, a lifelong baseball fan, was owner and president of the Milwaukee Brewers. He started serving as interim commissioner in 1992 and was elected commissioner in 1998. During Selig's tenure, baseball introduced the wild-card playoff format and instant replay. After years of criticism, the sport agreed to a tough drug-testing policy. He retired in January 2015.

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ASU Law Dean Douglas Sylvester called Selig a natural teacher who has experience mentoring students.

"Our students will have an invaluable opportunity to tap into the vast experience and knowledge that Selig brings to the Sports Law and Business program," Sylvester said in a statement.

Selig, 81, has taught at Marquette University Law School since 2009 and last fall began teaching a course at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin. He has a bachelor's degree in American history and political science.

Selig and his wife, Suzanne, have been active in local philanthropic efforts, including the Phoenix Art Museum.

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Reach the reporter at 602-444-8072 or anne.ryman@arizonarepublic.com.