Sponsorship is a business decision. Gatorade and co were involved to increase the profile of their brand and whether we like it or not this event garnered a lot more interest than the National Champs.
I reckon if you asked most ‘sports fans’ (and put aside the time factor around when the 2 events were held) a lot more would know how this event went and who placed where than who the current Aus 100m champ is. A lot probably wouldn’t even be able to say what sport ARS competes in and that’s if they have heard of him.