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[QUOTE="HuskyHawk, post: 1772570, member: 1414"]
I said it came from multiple tweeters.  I don't know, and you don't know, and none of the media people know.  But the narrative repeated by several people on twitter and in various boards was essentially that ESPN doesn't want any expansion, because they own all these properties now (BYU, AAC).  They pay less for them now than they would in the Big 12, and in the Big 12, they split the rights with Fox.

Fox, on the other hand, can get new properties, and essentially pay half.  Given it's current weakness on the east coast (because ESPN/ABC has ACC and most of SEC with CBS), Fox is pro expansion and wants eastern schools.  Reportedly they specifically wanted UConn and/or the Florida schools.  They also had little to no interest in Houston or Memphis.

Is it true?  I don't know.  But it passes the rational basis test.  It is not illogical, and in fact makes sense.  Unlike ESPN, which is established and is trying to hold on, Fox is trying to make FS1 a real competitor to ESPN, to make it something in every basic cable package.  That's part of why the overpaid for the Big Ten, and it would explain their desire to move into big eastern markets.
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