By The Associated Press

NEW YORK - Bud Selig does not intend to seek a new term as baseball commissioner after his current deal expires in December 2006.

Selig, 67, became acting commissioner in September 1992 after the forced resignation of Fay Vincent. Despite saying he didn't intend to take the job permanently, Selig agreed to a five-year term in July 1998. Owners then gave him a new five-term in November 2001, a contract that expires on Dec. 31, 2006.

"So now here we are," Selig told a group from Associated Press Sports Editors on Thursday. "I have another 31/2, 33/4 years. I expect to do it. Thankfully for me, at that point that would be enough

"For a guy who took it in Sept. 9, 1992, and I told my wife it was two-to-four months - 14 years later ... I think that will be enough. There's no question, because there are other things I really would like to do."

Asked again if this was his final term, Selig responded; "Oh, there's no question."

Under Selig, baseball added an extra round of playoffs in 1995, splitting each league into three divisions instead of two, and began interleague play in 1997.

While the sport was hurt by a 232-day strike in 1994-95, players and owners agreed to a labor deal last August without a stoppage - the first time that happened since 1970.

Selig also successfully pushed for expanded revenue sharing in the last two labor deals.