The whole point of soulbound / gladiator cards is rewards for those who have been playing. New and returning users should struggle against them. But overall this is splinterlands the game vs splinterland the crypto debate.
I don't know how many people I heard last June / July saying I'm just gonna sell my stuff and come back next bull... which just makes any bear that much worst because there is very little from a game perspective to keep them playing. Gladiator cards at the time were the only thing then we got soulbound.
The whole point of both is you can't buy them or rent them I'm still hopeful soulbound cards will never be unbindable.
Those playing can buy / rent the card to play in higher leagues, brawl are a small part of the game / earnings. Playing in higher leagues will earn them gladiator card quicker. There are plenty of ways for new and returning playing to earn them and faster out side of bronze. Bronze is supposed to just be the place to get to know the game not live and earn.