February 13, 2003

Rein joins baseball players, executives on commissioner’s special task force

Irving J. Rein, professor of communication studies, has been appointed by Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig to a newly created special task force on baseball.

As a member of Commissioner Bud Selig’s task force, Irving Rein will make recommendations as to how Major League Baseball can stay competitive in the modern American marketplace.

Charged with shaping the future development of baseball, the task force will include baseball team executives, the president of ESPN, major league players, and a representative from the Major League Baseball Players Association.

The task force, which is called “The Commissioner’s Initiative: Major League Baseball in the 21st Century,“ will report its findings to Selig and team owners, who will then decide whether to implement the group’s recommendations.

“The commissioner recognizes that there is greater competition in the marketplace vying for the American public’s time and attention. Baseball, an American institution, is determined to remain prominent in this environment,” says Rein, who has written extensively on maintaining visibility in our popular culture.

Rein is the author of “High Visibility,” a book that examines how fame and celebrity are created and achieved in many sectors, including sports, entertainment, business and the professions.

Rein, who played football and ran track in high school and college, coached sports at Coronado High School in California before going to graduate school.

As a member of Northwestern University’s Athletics and Recreation Committee, Rein served as an advisor on university athletics. He is frequently quoted by the media on sports marketing and sports communication issues.