Very good point here. 5th is also more profitable then finishing 3rd.
Something could be done to completely revamp the playoff distribution income. Such as pool all the revenues from all the games (relegation included) and reward the teams more accordingly. Whatever is done, you shouldn't make more money for hosting a relegation series or finishing 5th then playing on the road in the actual playoffs. It only promotes tanking.
Totally agree. The no game-no salary rule is definitely flawed. I mean, what if a team plays away in playoffs? You still get almost no income, and pay full salaries. While 5th place teams pay none at all... BS.
If this rule is to stay, I say let both teams in the playoffs get the full amount of arena income. Teams in playouts can share a single arena income. This way 1-4th will be better off that 5th, and 5th will be better than 6-7th, and everyone will be motivated to finish higher.
Another option will be to get rid of this rule, and everyone pays 2 weeks salary, no arena income in playoffs, just fixed bonuses depending on finishing place.