AP Source: Big East picks Aresco as commissioner
The Big East has hired CBS executive vice president Mike Aresco to be commissioner of the conference now in rebuilding mode, a person familiar with the decision said Tuesday.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the conference was still working on an official announcement.
Aresco has been a vice president in charge of programming for CBS since 1996. He's handled the network's contract negotiations with the NCAA for the rights to the men's basketball tournament. He also negotiated CBS's 15-year deal with the Southeastern Conference.
The Big East is in transition and will begin crucial negotiations on a new television contract in September. The defections of longtime members West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Syracuse cost former Commissioner John Marinatto to lose his job earlier this year.
The website ajerseyguy.com, run by former Boston Globe reporter Mark Blaudschun, first reported the Big East had picked Aresco.
The Big East lost West Virginia, along with member-to-be TCU, to the Big 12 this year. Syracuse and Pittsburgh depart for the Atlantic Coast Conference next year. Temple rejoined the Big East on short notice this year to replace West Virginia.
Six new members are scheduled to join the Big East next year, including Boise State and San Diego State for football only, to create a coast-to-coast, 12-team football conference.
Also set to join the Big East in 2013 are Memphis, Central Florida, Houston and SMU.
Navy has committed to join the conference in 2015, and the Big East will eventually be in the market for another school to give it 14 football members when the Midshipmen join.
But up first is landing a TV contract. On Sept. 1, ESPN and the Big East begin a 60-day exclusive negotiating period. If they don't work out a deal, the Big East's media rights go on the open market.
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CBS is a division of CBS Corp.; ESPN is owned by The Walt Disney Co.
