Why is VAIC Registration so Expensive? A Cost Breakdown

Can we really not meet halfway here?

Normal team registration is 150$. The hardware provided is worth about 1200$. (after the people, like Nvidia/intel who actually spent years designing it get their cut)

A 500$ registration only option would still be 350$ extra for “development costs” and the teams don’t even need to be provided software for their trouble.

A 1000$ registration + software but no hardware option would be 850$ towards the “development costs” and offset the sunk cost of RECF buying hardware.

Everyone here is okay with supporting VEX/RECFs efforts to create this program. But would rather not spend 1200$ on paperweights they wont use. I am trying to meet you halfway and I would appreciate it if you did the same.