Commissioner Bud Selig turns down contract extension, insists on retirement

MLB commissioner Bud Selig turned down a five-year contract extension, insisting on his plans to retire. (Brace Hemmelgarn/Getty Images) Baseball commissioner

MLB commissioner Bud Selig turned down a five-year contract extension, insisting on his plans to retire. (Brace Hemmelgarn/Getty Images)

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig is adamant he will finally retire on January 15, 2015. Selig has previously announced and cancelled retirement plans, but by turning down a contract extension it seems to be a more committed decision this time.

Selig turned down a five-year contract extension, insistent in his intent to retire after the 2014 season, at the age of 80. Selig said via phone he would definitely be retiring at the end of his contract, per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

From Heyman's report:

“I really am,'' Selig said. “I know the owners are having a tough time with it … (But) I am serious.''

Selig was extended unanimously in 2011. He is popular among the owners, which has largely contributed to his decision to stay beyond his retirement plans.