Perhaps more importantly, is the Big Ten shortsighted enough to let that happen?
Could there be trouble brewing in the world of Big Ten media rights? According to Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune, yes. In a story published a little earlier today, Greenstein shares quotes he received from Northwestern AD Jim Phillips that he interprets as a sign the Big Ten might offer the second half of their TV rights to a bidder besides ESPN/ABC:
"The Big Ten will do what’s best for the Big Ten, and ESPN has to take that same position.