I'm not looking far enough in the future? Your the person who keeps referencing past or existing sport media conditions.
Why did the Big 10 add Rutgers? Was it a mistake for the Big10? No it made 100% sense based on the cable carriage model at the time and that continues today.
But the live sport model is going to change. Fans are going to need to pay. Disney/ESPN is projected to launch its direct to consumer (DTC) platform/app in Fall 2025. Disney, FOX and Warner Brothers are scheduled to launch a DTC sports platform this fall. It's impact will probably be gradual, but over the next decade access to live sports will change.
And legacy providers like FUBOTV know it's a threat to existing platforms.
Disney/FOX/Warner Platform
FUBO Lawsuit
But like I commented in my prior post, the trend for live sports on subscription platforms will only continue to grow. We are seeing that with the Big10's deal with NBC/Peacock. But those platforms are focused on more than just College Football, they are focused on more than just Live Sports. They want to be a 1 stop shop for TV eyes. Why? Because like you said, there's a good chance an Amazon, Apple or Netflix might enter the live sport marketplace when the next media deals are done.