Big East hires firm to negotiate TV deal

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- The Big East has hired a sports media firm, led by one of the consultants who negotiated the Pac-12's $3 billion deal, to work on its upcoming media rights negotiations.

The conference announced Monday it had hired Bevilacqua Helfant Ventures as its lead negotiator.

Co-founder Chris Bevilacqua helped the Pac-12 land its landmark 12-year television deal last season and launch its own network. He also negotiated the Rose Bowl's most recent television contract with ESPN, a deal worth $80 million annually for 12 years.

The Big East will begin a 60-day exclusive negotiating window with ESPN on Sept. 1.

The rebuilding conference is hoping to net its football members upward of $10 million per year in revenue from a new deal.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.