How does the NCAA actually investigate anything?
They don't have subpoena power, right?
So if they wanted to interrogate Tom Al Betar about the pictures of Bama players, why would Al Betar ever agree to sit down with them?
Couldn't he (along with anyone else being investigated) just say "fuck you" to the NCAA when they want to find out if improper benefits were given?
Same thing with Cam Newton.
Mr. Sheridan says the NCAA believes they've found the bagman. They just need him to admit to it.
Why the hell would he ever admit to it?
NCAA can ask question to anybody. Anybody other than a current player, coach, administrator of a member institution can tell the NCAA to go pound sand. In fact, even those can tell tNCAA to get fucked, but it don't work out well...ask Gene Stallings and bammer.
If you have been in to some shady shit, and the NCAA does stumble across a witness, that witness can also ask for hush money, or try to get his 15 minutes by singing publicly.
And, of course, you can have some disgruntled former players/employees try to shake you down with baseless allegations.
But, no, the NCAA has little power to "investigate".