That's a possibility. I'd thought that the high figure had more to do with having the league's scoring leader when the previous merch payment came out, but I don't even have anyone in the leaders now and it only dropped by around $100 this week:
3/4/2013	Weekly Merchandise profit	$ 39 152	(last week in IV.52)
3/11/2013	Weekly Merchandise profit	$ 45 132	
3/18/2013	Weekly Merchandise profit	$ 60 915	
3/25/2013	Weekly Merchandise profit	$ 60 833
Wow it must really make a difference then, 39k Merch in D.IV!? I think might go up to as much as 25k but here is what I am at right now... Keep in mind I just demoted.
3/18/2013	Weekly Merchandise profit	$ 18 445	
3/25/2013	Weekly Merchandise profit	$ 19 019	
Here is my situation: I have a 9 man roster, but during the week I buy about 3 scrimmage scrubs and fire...
My team has a 32k, 14k, 13k and 4k (American) players.
I mean the difference now looks pretty big, if I promote this season I'm now really considering blowing up my team and slowly building an All American team, although I know it will be pricey!