Found this article on Creighton's board. Pretty interesting insight on how this went down for schools on the outside.
http://www.omaha.com/article/20130321/BLUEJAYS/703219899/1001#lannon-s-lobbying-helped-make-creighton-a-big-east-favorite-from-the-beginning (http://www.omaha.com/article/20130321/BLUEJAYS/703219899/1001#lannon-s-lobbying-helped-make-creighton-a-big-east-favorite-from-the-beginning)
"Creighton faced some challenges — geographic location, TV market and commercial air travel.
But Lannon focused on the positives — the school's fan base, its top-notch venues and the success of its programs."
Sounds like some (Gtown? Fox?) were indeed concerned about TV markets in adding CU. I read this as SLU being a shoe-in (provided that there are no ACC defectors who want to join us)