These guys form a power elite, a class. As members of a class they cross paths frequently, sometimes in cooperation, sometimes as rivals, but they have congruent interests. They help each other out as a professional courtesy, they trade favors, pay their debts and save their markers. They know that in the rarified circles they travel in they meet frequently.

They also know that if they fail, it may be years before they work again, if ever, so those who have a reputation as past performers insist on a compensation that is essentially decoupled from their future performance. No these guys don't negotiate their salaries the same way we do when we go to a job interview. Their colleagues understand this and help on when they can.

This is not competitive enterprise at work here, this is something new. It is a deviation from "historical norms" because this no longer has much to do with a "free market". This is all about class privilege, they feel they are entitled to negotiate these salaries solely because of who they are.