Commissioner Selig Receives First Green Sports Alliance Environmental Leadership Award
Major League Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig received the first-ever Green Sports Alliance Environmental Leadership Award. The ceremony took place at the 2012 Green Sports Alliance Summit in Seattle, Washington. The award honors Selig’s leadership in promoting environmental responsibility across Major League Baseball (MLB).
Under Selig’s guidance, MLB became the first professional sports league to team up with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) on a formal environmental initiative. This partnership resulted in the creation of the groundbreaking MLB Greening Program, which set standards for sustainability in sports.

Leading the Way in Sustainable Sports
MLB’s Greening Program encourages teams to adopt greener practices in their stadiums and operations. Clubs have implemented recycling programs, energy-efficient lighting, water conservation efforts, and sustainable purchasing policies. As a result, MLB has set an industry example for integrating environmental responsibility into professional sports.
Commissioner Selig emphasized that environmental stewardship is a core value for MLB. He highlighted the league’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and influencing millions of fans to consider sustainability in their own lives. This leadership shows how sports can be a powerful platform for change.
Green Sports Alliance Recognizes Impact
The Green Sports Alliance created this new award to celebrate significant contributions to environmental leadership in sports. By choosing Selig as the first recipient, the Alliance underscored MLB’s lasting influence on the industry.
Speakers at the event praised Selig’s vision and commitment to collaboration. They noted that MLB’s work inspired other leagues and teams to prioritize sustainability. The award serves as a call to action for the entire sports world to adopt greener practices.
Looking Ahead to a Greener Game
Commissioner Selig said he was honored to accept the award on behalf of all 30 MLB clubs working to reduce their environmental impact. He pledged that MLB would continue to innovate and expand its sustainability efforts.
The Green Sports Alliance Summit brought together leaders from across the sports industry to share best practices and set ambitious environmental goals. With this recognition, MLB’s efforts stand as an example of how sports organizations can lead the way toward a more sustainable future.
Learn More
For details about the Green Sports Alliance and its mission, visit Green Sports Alliance.
To see MLB’s environmental initiatives, check MLB Greening Program.
For an overview of NRDC’s work in sports, visit NRDC Sports Greening.
. Visit www.greensportsalliance.org for more information.

