There is a whole lot of discussion on this thread that talks around the main point of disagreement without directly addressing it. Both sides agree that kids are making bad choices. BLSS says they would make less bad choices if they were employees. Perhaps, or perhaps not. BTC says that making them employees is impossible because it would bankrupt the system, and that schools would simply give up athletics, which is probably true. Thus, the solution that would satisfy everyone seems to be to just make them employees, then have the schools drop athletics, after which there will no longer be a problem with kids making bad choices. Er, well, at least, not these particular bad choices.

The only question left then, is whether to apply this solution just to football, or perhaps to football and basketball? Or, should we apply it to all varsity sports? Schools can continue to offer club sports, of course. They don't need to have varsity sports and schools can get by with just club sports and intramural sports. And, having no varsity sports also solves the problem of highly paid coaches. See? Everyone will be happy.