I suppose they probably have, but I would think the ability to offer HD RSN's to an entire RSN viewing region would be a goldmine. Right now here in Michigan FSN Detroit HD is only avaialable on a very few cable systems outside of the Detroit area.
I despise D*, but I would move over to them in a heartbeat if they offered my beloved Tigers in HD, or even HD Lite.
I know at least 5 other friends in my small town of 40,000 that would move over to D* in a heartbeat also if they were getting Tiger/Wings/Pistons in HD.
Your exactly right, why would they try to dupe people at the onset of the offering? Makes no REAL sense at all, its just ramble. They will make mega bucks when they go CONUS for the RSNS. And it is very close, believe me - its all on the launch and set-up of DIRECTV 10.