Here's why this seismic move makes some sort of sense: No. 1, don't think of it as Big Ten expansion. The league is essentially bringing its network to the Washington, D.C., and New York metro areas more than adding schools.
"They're buying markets," said one person close to the negotiations.
When the Big Ten contract with ESPN runs out in 2016, this move all but affirms the league will be the richest in existence. Conservative estimate: Big Ten schools will be bringing more than $30 million per year in athletic revenue. At least.
Adding some portion of the New York and D.C. markets cannot be seen as a bad thing. For now, it's all about BTN. It is a profit center, printing found money -- $100 million for member schools per year. There has been much consternation about how the Big Ten Network is going to convince cable carriers in Connecticut to buy Rutgers, or northern Virginia viewers to buy Maryland.
In this case, it's better to be part of the haves.
