They've (the BM team) stated that they will not sell it, but they have also said that Valve has expressed interest in getting an advance copy etc.
Maybe Valve can beta test once the content is finalized, and then the mod can be distributed from the site and steam simultaneously. And then the devs can work on DM.
everything has a price.
Except on the internet, which isn't a commercial venture.
The delay hit a lot of people hard, but every blockbuster game has been delayed at least once, and if missing the initial date means quality, so be it.
Maybe I didn't take it too hard because I would personally have to wait either way, but... It's no big deal, and any veteran BM forum member would agree.