The Big Ten was in that position because it had more football programs
able to consistently maintain a high level of success. Also, the Big Ten benefitted from being affiliated with the marquee non-BCS/News Year's Day Six bowl games. If the Big Ten wasn't in a secure position, then I am not sure they would have made their expansion decision based purely on market factors. WRT the Big Ten's decision to add Rutgers, the Big Ten added Rutgers because it gives the Big Ten better access to NYC metro market which was the real prize.
I disagree with you that ACC doesn't gain any exposure in CT without the addition of UConn. The ACC Game of the Week is currently broadcasted in the Hartford-New Haven Market on WCCT (CW). Now whether the ACC maintains the same footprint when the ACCN goes live in 2019 may be a different story. WRT to Syracuse, since it is being broadcasted in the entire state (which includes NYC), then I would think Syracuse is being broadcasted to the entire NYC metro market (which would/could include part of CT depending on the channel). Also, if you factor in streaming technology, then a person living in CT could watch ACC games on ACC Extra.
The extension of the GoR did give the conference enough stability to finally form a conference network. However, it does also allow for more resentment to potentially build with a school if it doesn't agree with the direction the ACC is going in.
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In response to this post by HOO86)
Link: ACC Affiliates By State
Posted: 09/19/2016 at 5:04PM