Ongoing sketchy behavior by NYT's business side seems to be one of the problems eroding the NYT's reputation in recent years.
The publisher may be preserving the family business during difficult times, but... in addition to the money and the upper-crust status that business survival confers, doesn't the publisher and everyone else involved with the NYT want to serve society, and to be known for serving society?
Not to be known for NYT's various sketchy subscription practices?
Maybe they should find a way to keep the news flowing without having to pay for a skyscraper in the middle of NYC.