Big East hopeful that 4 time-zone coverage appeals to TV net

[The PonyGrad]

If the Big Ten can continue to market its logo with 12 members and the Big 12 can go forward with 10 members, why can't the Big East brand survive as the Big East/Central/Mountain/Pacific Time Zone Conference when bicoastal expansion arrives in 2013?

Over the past three years of conference realignment, it has been proven that geography and tradition hardly matter. What matters is the football product and inventory of games conferences can offer at the TV bargaining table, and the Big East will have all four time zones covered with the addition of Temple this season and of Central Florida, Memphis, Houston, SMU, Boise State and San Diego State next season.

Although new Big East commissioner Mike Aresco declined to predict the outcome of his upcoming negotiations for a new TV contract, he was emphatic on one point at his recent introductory news conference. "I don't believe college sports have ever been more valuable than they are now," said Aresco, who was executive vice-president of sports programming at CBS before accepting his new job. "At the end of the day, the value of the Big East will be recognized and maximized by the media entities."...

http://www.newsday.com/sports/college/c ... -1.3927384