Perhaps the BEST B1G Forum anywhere, here at College Football Fan Site, CFB51!!!

If Nebraska ever tried to get its own network, the presidents would see to it that they were booted from the partnership known as the Big Ten.

Nebraska was well on its way to having its own network-- well ahead of Texas-- before the B1G announced expansion and changed everything.

I agree the BTN wanted the eastern schools for market share.
What I'm saying is that if the BTN didn't exist, the Big Ten may have added Maryland and Rutgers to sweeten the negotiations with ABC/ESPN or any other network bidding on the content

Without the in-footprint cable subscriber model, Maryland and Rutgers don't move the needle.  At all.
The only options to sweeten the deal for Tier 1 media partners, would be big names.  Nobody turns on a television set to see a B1G team play Rutgers, not even if it's Michigan or Ohio State.
That's why Nebraska was a good add for national marketability.  But Maryland and Rutgers were terrible adds that dilute the product and further diminish former regional rivalries.  Their sole value was in-footprint cable subscriber pressure on the carriers.  Which is absolute crap and a severe blow to the sport of college football.

Without the in-footprint cable subscriber model, Maryland and Rutgers don't move the needle.  At all.
The only options to sweeten the deal for Tier 1 media partners, would be big names.  Nobody turns on a television set to see a B1G team play Rutgers, not even if it's Michigan or Ohio State.
That's why Nebraska was a good add for national marketability.  But Maryland and Rutgers were terrible adds that dilute the product and further diminish former regional rivalries.  Their sole value was in-footprint cable subscriber pressure on the carriers.  Which is absolute crap and a severe blow to the sport of college football.

Don't lump Maryland in with Rutgers. Rutgers was a pure NYC Media Grab.
Maryland strokes all the right places (State flagship university, top research university, well rounded in numerous sports, continuous state, expands natural footprint, etc.) all except for National Football property.

Had they been in the Big Ten and well on its way to having its own network, they'd have been looking for a conference. Just sayin'.

Obviously, because the B1G already had a conference network at that point.
However, prior to that, individual schools negotiated their Tier3 rights separately.  And in the case of radio and branding rights, they still do. Ohio State's radio and branding deal with IMG pays them far more than whatever Illinois has negotiated, and that revenue is not shared with the conference.

If Nebraska ever tried to get its own network, the presidents would see to it that they were booted from the partnership known as the Big Ten.

and it should be if they did that...
UNL would have had the 3rd or 4th best network in the big12 if everyone went their own way.  But the reality, pooling together is worth more to everyone.   Or at least that's how I see it.  

Texas killed the big12

This I don't believe.
What killed the Big 12 was all the schools (that could) trying to do what was best for themselves without regard for the others. Be it TV, movement, whatever.
A&M was trying to get to the SEC. Mizzou to the Big Ten. Texas to the Big Ten even before the XII happened. 
Had they all put the same energy into the league (partnership) they were in, it might still be what it was. Instead, we have what we have.

I'm not going down that rathole.

Perhaps if the Big 8 schools weren't greedy to add Texas and A&M to the conference when the SWC fell apart, that would still be around too. Or had Arky never left the SWC for greener pastures. Or had the Eastern Indies listened to JoePa about starting a conference, the Big Ten would still be 10.

Or. 

Or.

It all starts somewhere. Cause and effect.