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1. The new Big East presidents are expected to meet in the next week to interview four or five finalists for the commissioner's job. Creighton athletic director Bruce Rasmussen said Thursday the 10 athletic directors haven't been told of the finalists, but Rasmussen is hopeful West Coast Conference commissioner Jamie Zaninovich is one of the five and gets the job. "We need a commissioner who has been successful, who has the background, who has the knowledge that can make decisions,'' said Rasmussen. "Jamie Zaninovich would be a tremendous person to put in that position.'' Rasmussen said the new Big East must hire a commissioner who has held that job, especially in a landscape where having a powerful figure is important amid a changing and aggressive college sports landscape. Zaninovich has long been rumored as a candidate and when asked at the Final Four in Atlanta, Zaninovich had no comment. Zaninovich is on the men's basketball selection committee, but would probably lose his spot if he left his West Coast position since the committee has a national balance.

The new Big East Conference is closing in on naming a commissioner to get it operational by its July 1 official opening and according to several sources familiar with the process West Coast Commissioner Jamie Zaninovich has emerged as the leader in the clubhouse after a series of meetings between the candidates and a group of University Presidents representing the league.

According to sources, the debate is whether to make a move with someone with college experience such as Zaninovich, or go outside of the box and hire someone more in the communications/marketing industry, perhaps tapping the NBA or Major League baseball.

If the decision is made to stick with someone with college experience, Zaninovich appears to be the front-runner.

Jet915 wrote:Commish should be known this week. I hope it's Gavitt.

Dew wrote:Blaudschun says neither Gavitt or Zaninovich are getting the job which is beyond dumb if you asked me.