1. Assume the 'error' as stated did occur. Lets say the number of chips to be colored up was the same on each of the 3 remaining tables.
If, as is common, a player on each table had bought up all the $5k's, that player could well have his entire 'stack' in $5k's. That would be a stack of average $660,000. If the player gets double that back in $25k's Id say it could have had an impact on the result, certainly in terms of the $$ the next few players out got paid.

2. The article gives a good idea of the number of chips that were used through the WSOP. Looks to be nearer 500,000 than the 300,000 I estimated before. Given the potential cockup here and the presumed lack of security that gave rise to the quantities of chips I and others were offered a few weeks ago, there could be racks of chips out there waiting to appear on ebay Dont overpay!