[Madison]

...why does FIRST need to get anything beyond a continued partnership with LEGO in return for such an arrangement?

The FLL program strikes me as the only of FIRST's programs that relies heavily on a single business relationship for its success. Without LEGO, there is no FLL and that gives LEGO significant leverage in any negotiation is has with FIRST. I won't speculate as to whether or not they've used that leverage.

One of FRC's strongest characteristics is the implied cooperation that occurs between its sponsors. What better way to encourage the creation of a new paradigm in what our society values and in how we conduct business than to bring together the largest corporations we can find and have them work together -- on the field while their sponsored teams compete -- and behind-the-scenes, donating volunteers and materials that create our ecclectic kit of parts.