If ND were to apply, a few things should be made perfectly clear to them:
1. The days of having your own network (NBC) are over. The Big Ten is not going to allow ND to profit from a boost in ratings due to playing other Big Ten schools in conference. The Big Ten also is not going to tolerate ND being televised on a network that does not have a Big Ten contract, thus competing directly with the BTN/ ESPN, etc.
2. Absolutely no concessions are going to be made. If ND fans can't see ND on a given Saturday, they need to order the BTN.
3. ND will continue to suck. Deal with it.