Since last year only,
* You do really bad(not winning at all), you have penalty(significantly less gate revenue).
* You do mediocre(5th), you have penalty(playouts and worse fan survey and revenue the next season).
Now we're thinking about if:
*You do really good(promote), you have penalty(in the promotion bonus).
The trend is obvious...
Taking money out of the system, is not a cure all medicine...but still, like all medicin must be taken with caution, responsibly and at the right doses.