OK having thought about it, I can see no other reason than "peer pressure" that has made the chip leader agree to this deal. What other reason can there be?
The deal has been done for monetary reasons of the short stacks as the diff is so great in the prize money at the lower places- I understand that.
I also understand that the tourney had become a bit of a crapshoot, BUT the deal has INCREASED the crapshoot factor has it not? I mean, the short stacks have NOTHING to loose now until the money starts to increment up again. Fair point?
Now the C/L may (well not may,, WILL DEFINATELY) get callers from short stacks that he otherwise would not have got - increasing those "outdraws".
Even in the short space of time playing live, I have noticed that deals have become MORE often and MORE players left reaching a deal. 3 years ago , the most I saw was a 3 way deal. NOW you have all 9 at a final table making deals, even 13 as is here!! Where will it end? Make the money and split it 27 ways equally?
Hope that sounds ok