A network media selection system comprises a memory that stores priority information for each of a plurality of ports and a media selector module that communicates with the memory, that receives activity signals and link signals from the plurality of ports, and that uses the activity signals, the link signals, and the priority information to generate enable signals for the plurality of ports. A respective port attempts to establish a link when a corresponding one of the enable signals is in a first state, and the respective port detects physical layer activity when a corresponding one of the enable signals is in a second state. The media selector module selectively sets enable signals to the second state for all of the plurality of ports other than a target port, which has the highest priority and has generated a link signal.