BYI is a flagship. It's just the flagship of a religion and a people, rather than of a state.
To this point, BYU already had a network but I imagine that outside of Utah and parts adjacent it doesn't do well in terms of carriage fees and even in Utah my guess is that is doesn't generate a ton of money when split 12 ways. All of this easily obtainable data by the B12, so my opinion on it doesn't matter at all.
But, if the new game is digital streaming than the question becomes how many individual subscribers would BYU bring in nationwide? Potentially a lot assuming the interest in college sports is consistent with the general population.
Point is that the B12 should be looking aat both carriage fees for a B12 cable net should one ever exist and they should be looking at potential streaming base.
Does cincy get a B12 net on in OH, KY? No it does not.
Does Memphis get it on in TN? NO it does not.
Do either of the FL schools get it on on FL? No.
The same could be said of subcribers of regular cable (new or retained) or subscribers to a website either watchESPN or a branded B12 streaming network.
Only us and BYU check all three boxes and our markets are better. Utah is a much smaller marker than ours.