The difference in TV revenue, the fact that small countries cup tournaments finish close to ASW, the smaller pool of NT talent to soften your merch revenue..... the smaller nations that wish to compete in the BB3 have to take a run at it using old resources as it's harder to sustain a $1mil roster all through the season unlike teams from big countries.....
Yes, cup tournaments finish earlier, but you can win it easely (only a few teams can compete) or at least arrive till the semi-finals/finals.
Yes, there's a smaller pool of NT/JNT players... that means you can have two/three of them simply training draftees or buying them spending a little money.
Additionally, as you join the game you are in II or even first league (with all the privileges), in Italy as you join the game you are in V if you're lucky, sometimes even in VI...