Yet again backroom deals are constraining the internet and its original vision. 

This from your own website - "It (ICANN) promotes competition and develops policy on the Internet's unique identifiers. Through its coordination role of the Internet's naming system, it does have an important impact on the expansion and evolution of the Internet."

How then does a secret deal with a single entity like Verisign which is for profit while you are non-profit in any promote competition. If Verisign doesn't want the .com TLD they can sell it not use it like a cash cow with ICANN's explicit and implicit agreement.

If you continue on this path, be honest and change your raison d'etre.  I'd suggest, "Open to the highest bidder".