The Big 10 is expanding again, with yesterday’s announcement that Maryland will join the conference in 2014 and the expected announcement today that Rutgers will follow suit.  Unlike the previous expansion, when Nebraska joined in 2011, there is no argument that can be made that this is being done for athletic or academic reasons.  This move is being made for one reason, and one reason only: to expand the reach of the Big Ten Network.

The hope is that cable outlets in Baltimore, Washington, and New York will pick up the network, bringing in millions in additional rights fees for the conference and its member schools.  Of course, this ignores the fact that New York is apathetic about college football in general and, specifically, Rutgers football.  Baltimore may also be a tough sell.

On the football field, the two new schools are expected to join the Leaders division, pushing Illinois to the Legends division in 2014.  This means that instead of Michigan, Northwestern, or Iowa, Wisconisn or Purdue will have yearly matchups with their “traditional” rivals from the east coast.  More teams also means that the amount of time it takes to rotate through the other division will be increased, potentially harming rivalries that have been around for 100 years or more.

On the basketball court, it is rumored that this expansion will lead to divisions there as well.  Again, this would lead to fewer opportunities to play traditional rivals while having home and home dates with a traditional basketball powerhouse like Rutgers.

Is this the end?  Probably not.  There are already rumors that the conference is looking to add an additional two teams, bringing the total up to 16.  Possible candidates that are being metioned include Florida State, North Carolina, and Texas.  Traditions destroyed, all so that someone in Manhattan might be able to get BTN as part of their cable package.  I hope the extra scheckles are worth it.