The dowry is prime, but the bride is rather homely. The Big Ten now has a foothold in the coveted DC television market, but it will come at the cost of subsidizing Maryland’s broke athletic department.

Maryland projects its travel costs will double joining the Big Ten. The Baltimore Sun is reporting the conference will provide them with a $20-$30 million subsidy, enough to cover the difference for a number of years (or an Edsall buyout). The Terrapins are still trying to get out of paying a $52 million ACC exit fee.

This revelation probably insures the Big Ten will move to an East/West division alignment in 2014.

[Photo via Getty]