Welcome back Liper. And I thought I was low key and out for a while. Good to hear the news.
If all of this is true and I have no reason to doubt, he very well could be trying to amass his staff, getting all on board and committed for the final $ number. Clearly if he's discussing the $$$ for staff he must already be in motion with more than just asking/gauging interest. As calculating as he is, I see him as someone who wants every i dotted and t crossed before he inks his own signature. This way he walks in with his staff ready to go day one. Perhaps I'm thinking too big but it makes sense based on how he is and thinks as well as OG discussions with this being a deal ongoing for weeks/months.