Only guessing what went on behind SPL/SFL/SFA closed doors, but the SFL's controversial decision might've been linked to the SFA insisting that oldco punishments should be transferred with their membership to newco. The necessity to fill the vacancy asap might also have been a factor - the SPL dropped this on the SFL very late in the day. No doubt though IMO that the correct course of action should've been to consider all applications (as per the rule book, no matter how long it took) before deciding which new team was most suitable
Your "greedy" take on things just gets more ridiculous the more I think about it