re: For those in the know. How much influence does TAF have?

As an organization TAF is there to raise the money the AD cannot raise through ticket sales etc. so when we build an $5mm gymnastics faciltity or the nutrietion center TAF gets its donors to contribute and borrows the money and repays it with proceeds from the suites and stadium club which TAF leases for$1 from LSu for 100 years (literally).
Sorry, got long winded but needed that as background. As an organization TAf simply supports what the AD needs. Individual donors (large ones) may influence or be asked to support specific projects or contracts but in the case of Chavis I would be very surprised of it ever came to someone wanting or not wanting to pay him as making any difference.
Finally, do not underestimate the importance of the relationship between Les and Joe and who has the power. They are not close.