Most people, don't hate him as a person. They just hate the work he does. I guess if your someone that thinks film is art, you would find what he does kind of shitty.

But essentially, the guy gets a big budget for his films, and just pockets it (he doesn't actually use the budget to make the film itself). And that is kind of a shitty practice. Especially when he actual fans that like his work, and go to see his movies expecting some effort/quality put into it. Yeah, we can laugh at Adam Sandler fans, and that they would expect anything from him by this point.

But fact is, there are people that do like him. And it's really shitty to phone it in, and have your fans buy a product that you didn't even put all the budget into. In a way, it almost feels like a scam.

So on the one hand, you can't blame him as a business man. All the points you made are valid. But I still think on a personal level, it's really shitty to do that your fans, and put out a product where you didn't even put all the budget into it (and the film was just made so you and your friends can get paid). Like say what you will about Tom Cruise. Think the guy is a weirdo all you want. But he's a person that puts his everything into his movies. He legitimately cares about the fans, and believes that you should give them a quality product since they are paying for it. He actually feels a sense of responsibility, and would feel guilty if he didn't deliver on a product that people paid for. Sandler seems to lack pride.

This doesn't mean that every film is going to be good. But at least put your all into it. At least try. At least give a shit about the people that are paying to see your movie. Have some sense of pride.

And that's kind of where, I have a hard time shrugging it off as: "eh, he's just a businessman who is loyal to his friends".