Post by elp525 on Apr 22, 2010 4:50:29 GMT -5
Wednesday April 21, 2010
by Mike Casazza
Daily Mail sports writer
MORGANTOWN - Whatever the future holds for the Big East with Big Ten expansion seemingly imminent and subsequent conference realignment possible, the league WVU calls home found itself an ally Wednesday.
The Big East announced it's brought on Paul Tagluabue as a "Special Advisor." The former NFL commissioner and Georgetown basketball captain will "provide strategic advice on future television arrangements and other priority matters."
There is no larger priority, though, than the future structure and membership of the Big East. The Big Ten has set a goal to add at least one team to get to 12 and thus create a conference championship game. More additions are possible as the conference looks to increase exposure and make the most of lucrative opportunities in larger markets.
The 16-team Big East is a likely victim with Notre Dame a top choice for the Big Ten to get to 12 teams, but Pitt, Rutgers, Syracuse and even UConn mentioned as options to get to 14 or 16 teams.
A press release announcing Tagliabue's volunteer position made no mention of the expansion, but did highlight Tagliabue's value in negotiating through the ordeal.
Tagliabue has a law degree from NYU and was counsel for the NFL and professional soccer and tennis organizations. He was commissioner from 1989-2006 and his tenure was highlighted by, among many events, expansion, television and marketing deals and growing revenue.
"Few individuals have had as broad and deep experiences in sports as Paul Tagliabue," Big East Commissioner John Marinatto said. "Paul's understanding of collegiate athletics and academics and his extensive experience and leadership of the NFL for 17 years will certainly be invaluable to the BIG EAST Conference and its 16 member institutions."
The Special Advisor will specifically assist with "collective strengths and opportunities, as well as the evolving landscape of broadcast television, cable and other subscriber-supported networks - national, regional or conference-based - and other new media opportunities." The Big East is about to enter the fourth year of a six-year television contract with ESPN and CBS as well as the fourth year of a six-year marketing rights contract with ISP.
by Mike Casazza
Daily Mail sports writer
MORGANTOWN - Whatever the future holds for the Big East with Big Ten expansion seemingly imminent and subsequent conference realignment possible, the league WVU calls home found itself an ally Wednesday.
The Big East announced it's brought on Paul Tagluabue as a "Special Advisor." The former NFL commissioner and Georgetown basketball captain will "provide strategic advice on future television arrangements and other priority matters."
There is no larger priority, though, than the future structure and membership of the Big East. The Big Ten has set a goal to add at least one team to get to 12 and thus create a conference championship game. More additions are possible as the conference looks to increase exposure and make the most of lucrative opportunities in larger markets.
The 16-team Big East is a likely victim with Notre Dame a top choice for the Big Ten to get to 12 teams, but Pitt, Rutgers, Syracuse and even UConn mentioned as options to get to 14 or 16 teams.
A press release announcing Tagliabue's volunteer position made no mention of the expansion, but did highlight Tagliabue's value in negotiating through the ordeal.
Tagliabue has a law degree from NYU and was counsel for the NFL and professional soccer and tennis organizations. He was commissioner from 1989-2006 and his tenure was highlighted by, among many events, expansion, television and marketing deals and growing revenue.
"Few individuals have had as broad and deep experiences in sports as Paul Tagliabue," Big East Commissioner John Marinatto said. "Paul's understanding of collegiate athletics and academics and his extensive experience and leadership of the NFL for 17 years will certainly be invaluable to the BIG EAST Conference and its 16 member institutions."
The Special Advisor will specifically assist with "collective strengths and opportunities, as well as the evolving landscape of broadcast television, cable and other subscriber-supported networks - national, regional or conference-based - and other new media opportunities." The Big East is about to enter the fourth year of a six-year television contract with ESPN and CBS as well as the fourth year of a six-year marketing rights contract with ISP.
