AP source: Big East moving on NBC Sports Net deal

NEW YORK (AP) - The Big East is moving past damage control and toward finally finishing some important business.

Two people familiar with the deal say the conference is closing in on a six-year contract with NBC Sports Network for football and basketball rights that will pay members around $20 million per year.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition anonymity because negotiations weren't being made public.

One person said the deal would likely be announced within the next two weeks. The Big East first has to go through the process of allowing ESPN, which currently holds the conference's football TV rights, to match the offer.

ESPN.com first reported the network's offer to the Big East.

The deal being worked on would allow NBC Sports Network to move some Big East games to other networks.