Population shift to Sun Belt drives Big Ten expansion

Population shift to Sun Belt drives Big Ten expansion

CHICAGO — Commissioner Jim Delany outlined two major forces behind the Big Ten’s expansion study in his meeting with reporters Tuesday.

The first is obvious: The Big Ten Network, a project that faced plenty of initial skepticism but has not only survived, but thrived. The potential to grow the network in new markets or potentially strengthen existing markets is a huge part of what the Big Ten has been studying the last five months.
The second force is bigger than the Big Ten and impacts numerous industries in America.
People are heading south in larger numbers, and the population shift has put northern institutions like the Big Ten on notice.

espn.com
5/18/10