Checkett's did an interview, and while he's wishy washy as a source I believe him on some things. He echoed the statement that Ryan will do anything to please Don, and that if it still fails Ryan wants to be able to say "we did all we could". That is....we did all we could to keep Don but not all we could to win. It's more important to Ryan that he comes off as cool than it is to win and Don is the popular kid that he so desperately wants to be friends with. It's a nasty combo because Mitchell himself prefers to look cool than win. I don't think anyone respected the immediacy of the situation and differed to their own personal motives.
People thought I was being a loony when I had concerns about Ryan Smith buying the team and possibly moving it, and maybe I was, but I never expected the Millers to sell and they did. If Ryan sold the team after it went sour I would not be surprised. Ryan moving the team never concerned me, it's the person/group who he'd sell it to. Like you said, I don't think Ryan has the stomach to be a loser. He won't be able to take the public shame like Vivek does and would probably rather sell.