Boy bandom tends to not be a long-lasting career prospect. Just ask the Backstreet Boys, New Kids on the Block, or Wham! (Although there’s always a good shot at a reunion comeback a couple decades later.)

And since the boys of One Direction are young and prone to the impressionable impulses lads their age are subject to, Sony got smart about making sure these cash cows stay together for the foreseeable future.

After all, we have terms for presidents, senators, and all kinds of other officials, so why not boy bands? One Direction has now been “elected” as our UK boy band of choice for the next three years, at least. Let’s chant, shall we?

“Three more years! Three more years!”

Related Article: Win A T-Shirt Signed By All 5 Lads From One Direction!

According to MTV UK,  Sony has asked 1D to sign a contract stating that they’ll stay together for the next three years and produce three new albums in that timeframe.

What’s in it for them? A huge payday at the end of those 36 months!

"If one of them walks away before then, then all five miss out on the money. They don't miss out on a few quid either, we are talking millions,” a source told The Sun. "They all get on really well, but it would be the kind of deal that would see them through the worst aggro possible."

(Like if, say, Niall suddenly started hanging out with Taylor Swift a lot.)

Now Directioners can rejoice knowing that the "Kiss You" singers are likely not going anywhere any time soon.

Do you think One Direction will stay together for three more years?