Its the brand and the alumni stupid. They pay to watch the name on the front of the jersey, not the back. They attend the games and make the atmosphere what it is. How do you think that the B1G (Or Notre Dame) still makes all that money when they haven't won but a championship or two in men's basketball/football/baseball since the turn of the century? No one will pay much to watch the minor leagues, and the best players will jump to the next level at the first opportunity.

Go for it.