The Big East Conference has named former CBS VP Mike Aresco as its new commissioner. The official word came from the league Tuesday, after an unanimous vote from its presidents. The news was initially reported Tuesday morning.

"The Presidents have acted very responsibly," said Interim Commissioner Joe Bailey in the conference's press release. "They have appointed a leader with integrity, intelligence and energy. Bravo!"

Aresco will replace Bailey, who took over after John Marinatto resigned in May because of pressure from the league's presidents.

So far, the hiring of Aresco, Executive VP of CBS Programming, has been received positively among college sports experts. The biggest applause has come from CBS Sports' columnist Dennis Dodd:

Until Tuesday. The slap-hitter known as the Big East hit the shot heard around college athletics. At least as far as commissioners go.

It's expected that Aresco will be used as a big negotiating chip for the Big East, which is looking to earn a new television contract that will help rebuild its diminishing profile.

In 2013, the conference is losing Syracuse and Pittsburgh to the Atlantic Coast Conference, but will be replacing those programs with a nationwide coalition of: Central Florida, Houston, Memphis, SMU, Temple, Boise State, San Diego State and Navy in the upcoming years.

For more on the Big East, check out the SB Nation blog Big East Coast Bias.