They may be second fiddle in their broader market (Portland and Seattle), but so are we. So is KSU. So is OSU. I'm sensing a theme here. My point being that even if a school is "second fiddle" in a media market, that doesn't mean having a conference member there doesn't still bring in that media market, at least to a degree. How many KSU grads are there in the KC metro? As many as Oregon St grads in the Portland metro?
And all of those schools mentioned would not be choices if the tables were reversed. Notice all the schools you mentioned have not been picked up by those doing the picking either.
Just as everyone figured ISU would be left out a few years ago. Being similar to ISU is not a good thing when it comes to Realignment.
That doesnt mean many of us would not love to have them in our conference or to play against them, or even that we dont like them as institutions. What it means is, in realignment it is about money, and only money, and who brings the most value is what matters. OSU and WSU just dont bring the value. They would reduce the per team value, not add to it, or be equal to it.