In little less than an hour (and only a few blocks from where I sit), NCAA President Mark Emmert will announce unprecidented sanctions on the Penn State football program as a result of the Jerry Sandusky cover-up. The reported "corrective and punitive actions" are said to be so severe that the death penalty might have been a preferred option.

It is also reported that Penn State will not appeal the sanctions.

Based on the rumors flying around last night, the sanctions are to include:

-- A large fine, somewhere in the neighborhood of $30-60 million. This money will likely go to charities and causes to help educate and prevent child abuse.

-- A postseason ban of up to 5 years. This is significant because it opens the doors for any current Penn State player to transfer without penalty (i.e. sitting out a year). There are also potentially some provisions to allow schools to take these student-athletes without counting against their 85 scholarship limit.

-- A TV ban for the upcoming season and potentially future seasons. One has to wonder how this impacts their revenue streams from the Big Ten Network and ABC/ESPN.

-- Significant scholarship reductions, up to double-digit losses per year over the next five years. If USC lost 30 over three years for improper benefits, you have to think this will be more severe.

Additionally, the Big Ten can levy additional penalties, up to and including removal from the conference on top of the NCAA sanctions. While I don't see Penn State being kicked out of the Big Ten, it wouldn't surprise me to see them lose most (if not all) of their TV revenue for some time. These penalties require the approval of 8 of the 12 universities.

As always, feel free to weigh in--just keep the discussion focused on the sanctions (i.e. the punishment) and not the crime.

AUTHOR EDIT at 9:15 AM:

Sanctions include:

--$60 million fine, paid to external programs to prevent child abuse or assist victims

--4 year postseason ban

--A loss of 10 scholarships immediately, 20 scholarships per year for each year of the ban

--Vacate wins from 1998-2011, and Joe Paterno's career record will reflect these vacated wins