Take out the word "finally" and you are 100% correct.
I think that it all started to go wrong when the funding model(s) changed around the time of Garry Chittick's reign as Chairman of the RIB. I am not blaming Garry, simply saying that's about when the funding models started changing and all clubs were forced to live beyond their means. Virtually ever club has had to sell property to survive. Take a look at the housing that now surrounds Ellerslie, Awapuni, Trentham and Riccarton. Then look at the retirement village at Te Rapa, the Hospital at Hastings and oh I forgot, the Hospital and Hotel at Ellerslie.
No wonder they now want Avondale and Levin's money.
I rest my case!