Depends on what the strategy is. They may have made the decision that the best strategy for the competition to grow is have less cash up front but more advertising and magazine style shows for fan engagement. You can kind of tell that that is the strategy because of the clause about not bidding for the NRL or AFL.
So, the clubs may consider it better for them long term to have less cash up front in exchange for more buy in from the network.
So, the clubs may consider it better for them long term to have less cash up front in exchange for more buy in from the network.