I'd say the city's position boils down to

(a) the lease requires your uniqueness to remain a part of our collective for the
full term, and money can not replace that uniquenees of the team being here
(b) you knew it was a bad for your side lease when you assumed it, and signed it
anyway
(c) you're a business man and a deal is a deal in the city's view.
(d) Since that oughta get the city home, we may as well get in some discovery on the Schultz suit and save our savior some dough

Does that prevail? I'm no fed black robe, so not for me to say, but they sure seem to think that's enough, and not just the fans, as that's the way the lawyers seem to be playing it.

did not have to wade into the swamp