Good thing for their label to lock them down, basically ensuring they'll have the full length career of a normal successful boy band.

But the 36 month thing could cause problems. I could see Zayn wanting to walk away to pursue his own career but being forced to stay because the others want their money. Zayn has a breakdown and quits anyway, and the other resent him even as they put out new albums because they aren't as successful and they lost out on their additional money.

Ten years later, Zayn after a successful solo career that has now faded wants to get together for a reunion tour, and although the other three have moved it past it and are willing, Niall is still bitter over what happened and the tour never happens

They get paid after 3 years and an album a year? Following Rihanna's suite I see

Really really smart of management to do this. One member leaving is almost always the end of a group.

Fanity

3 years ?

Too bad, i wanted Niall and Zayn to try a solo career before they hit 21 ...

But how can they grow artistically when they're forced to put out that album..?

How much will they pay them when the 3 years end?

Syco has them by the balls.

Boybands never last beyond the first 4-5 years after they make it big though, so this is a good strategy. They should milk their brand for all it's worth now.

Mess.

They really wanna milk them. Love it actually. So sneaky.

Not you thinking Rihanna's TEAM created the album a year concept.