Big East hires Aresco as its commissioner
The Big East has hired CBS executive vice president Mike Aresco as its commissioner.
Big East hires Aresco as its commissioner
The Big East has hired CBS executive vice president Mike Aresco as its commissioner.
Aresco, who becomes the conference's fourth commissioner, will be formally introduced Wednesday during a press conference in New York. He replaces John Marinatto, who resigned in May after fewer than three years as commissioner.
"We are fortunate to have Mike Aresco as our new commissioner," University of Cincinnati president Greg Williams said in a press release. Williams was the chair of the commissioner search committee.
"His breadth of experience and depth of knowledge in intercollegiate athletics will continue to move the Big East forward on a successful path," Williams added. "The Big East has enjoyed a great history. Mike Aresco will help assure the conference of a vibrant future.”
Aresco was a vice president in charge of programming at CBS since 1996. During his tenure, he negotiated the network's 15-year deal with the SEC. He also managed CBS's contract negotiations with the NCAA for the rights to the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
During Marinatto's tenure, the Big East dealt with several defections due to conference realignment. West Virginia left for the Big 12. Pittsburgh and Syracuse will leave for the Atlantic Coast Conference as early as 2013.
Marinatto was criticized by some for his management style and handling of the realignment process.
Here's hoping he can not only keep the conference together but strenghten it too.— joninohio- This looks like a great hire.— The One Who Knows
- Hopfully his CBS ties work out well for the BE. Good TV contract is of the utmost importance! GO OWLS!!— avoidpitt
- I've heard that the Big East is going to NBC, and that's why ESPN helped convince Pitt and Syracuse go to the ACC. If true, amazing the power of TV in sports. It doesn't just broadcast it, it controls it.— bobbyd24
- Exciting leadership for the newly expanded Big East.— Period
- Great choice for conference commissioner. Aresco is well thought out and articulate.— Temple U Owls
John Mitchell is in his first year covering Temple after two seasons covering the 76ers for the Inquirer, after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette. He graduated from Overbrook High School in 1983, and he's a graduate of Howard University in Washington DC. Follow him on Twitter @jmitchinquirer or reach him at jmitchell@philly.com.
