Wishful thinking regarding USC's financial influence?
First, let me state I hope USC gets more than a slap on the wrist for the indiscretions of a former Heisman winner, which seem out of whack in comparison to extra practice time and impermissible coaching. I agree with popular sentiment that appears it's not likely they get much, but my assumptions are based on what the NCAA's dealing with—-namely an uncooperative Bush, no subpoena power, no boosters involved, just douchey start-up agent wannabes, etc.
There's a somewhat popular notion, however, that creeps up in board comments from time to time that NCAA won't come down hard on Southern Cal because the Trojans are some kind of ridiculous revenue generator for the NCAA. Others have made the point here that this idea is more bluster than fact. For what it's worth, here are the numbers:
2009 NCAA revenue was approximately $702 million according to KPMG-audited statements you can peruse here
http://catalog.proemags.com/publication/cc5da338#/cc5da338/28
How that $702 million breaks down roughly:
85% television and marketing rights fees (almost if not entirely from CBS and ESPN for hoops tournament)
10% Championships
1% Investments
1% Sales and services
3% Contribution-facilities/Contribution-other/NIT, LLC/Eligibility Center, LLC/College Football/Arbiter/eOfficials
The punishment (or lack thereof) they end up with very well may seem unfair to the rest of college football, but it I'm guessing it will be a reflection of what the investigation turned up, not dollars.
Is this part of the reason we won't see a playoff, major conferences don't want to have to funnel the money through the NCAA before they get their hands on it?
It does seem like $$/power could be a reason NCAA won't bring the hammer down on any BCS conference teams, they know if they are too tough with anybody that those universities would begin to push their conferences and the BCS to break off. Particularly if those mega-conferences were to come into effect, making them that much more powerful and able to force a breakup of the NCAA.
I don't think funnelling money through the NCAA is reason for not having a playoff. Despite the fans desire for a playoff, decision makers are generally in favor of the bowl system. I've seen polls of university presidents, ADs, and coaches that are all heavily in favor of the current bowl system.
The bottom line is this, many more schools benefit from the bowl system than would benefit from a pure playoff. The Solid Verbal podcast had an interview with Iowa State's coach, and he said the Insight Bowl last season was a fantastic experience for his program. This wouldn't happen in a pure playoff, and there are many more teams merely seeking bowl berths than there are elite teams focused on national titles. I'll leave all the what-if notions about playoffs and keeping bowls to the side, because they don't seem to be starters right now with university presidents.
Second, the breakup the NCAA meme is, frankly, ignorant. The NCAA is a voluntary institution composed of member schools who make all of the decisions that matter. It was originally created to help make sports like football safer, and essentially exists today because member schools want an organization to keep the playing field level and ensure other schools aren't cheating. To suggest that a significant percentage of schools want out is baseless.