Well, players goes to vacations IRL, and clubs must pay them their weekly wage, even if there's no league matches to play
But i understand how you feel. I think that maintenances must be paid during postseason, but i think that postseason is too long and that's the biggest problem, the game loses too much atention during at least 3 weeks and i don't think it's a good idea.
But about the finances stuff.... and i think it would be far reasonable if prize money would be delivered after national cup final and not after server update.