No, it is not obscene or a gross overestimation. You're right, It would have to be "cost justifiable". In other words, it would allow money to be moved elsewhere. Let's say some sponsor said "I want to sponsor 5K for Galneryus" You and I both know that a)Galneryus won't be a headliner, and b)You are looking at about 10K to bring Galneryus and their support people. So, now you are talking about money being taken out from getting a stronger lineup to make up for the money being lost for the travel from Tokyo for a band who will not be anything but a 1 or 2.
Now, let's say someone comes up with $20K for Galneryus. Now, there is a FINANCIAL incentive to bring them in. Why? Answer: you can now have the extra cash to get another big name act to play PPUSA, plus it is now cost justifiable to bring in Galneryus for a 1 or 2 slot because there travel is paid for and you can move the rest of the money into getting a band like Rhapsody of Fire to become a 5, or add the money to a blockbuster offer to, for example, Advantasia.
Remember, As Glenn has repeatedly said, every sponsor dollar goes into IMPROVING the festival lineup, not improving the Harveston bank statement. Glenn has always been upfront about this, sometimes more than he should. That is why the only way a band like Galneryus shows up is under those conditions, where someone pledges an obscene amount of money to put Glenn in a position where he would be insane to say "no".
My 2 PHPs worth.
