NEW YORK -- The Big East has hired CBS executive vice president Mike Aresco to be commissioner of a conference now in rebuilding mode.

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.

Aresco, a Connecticut native who resides in Southport, Conn., has never worked for a conference or university, but his experience lies in the field where the Big East needs the most help.

Before CBS Sports, Aresco worked at ESPN and was responsible for overseeing the acquisition, scheduling and development of long-term strategies for all of ESPN and ESPN2 college sports properties. He joined ESPN in 1984 and was named assistant general counsel in 1988 before moving to the ESPN programming department.

"The search to identify the new Commissioner of The Big East Conference was truly an international search," said Greg Williams, University of Cincinnati president and chair of the commissioner search. "We had many outstanding candidates, but we are fortunate to have Mike Aresco as our new Commissioner. His breadth of experience and depth of knowledge in intercollegiate athletics will continue to move the Big East forward on a successful path. The Big East has enjoyed a great history. Mike Aresco will help assure the conference of a vibrant future."

The conference 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 his job earlier this year.

Marinatto helped the conference add eight schools, six that are slated to join next year, but the long-term viability of the far-flung league is in doubt.

The next commissioner will need to create stability to encourage current and future members to stick with the conference if and when leagues such as the Big 12 and Atlantic Coast Conference look to expand again.