[Softball Fan]

  There are lots of organizations that are functionally like the NCAA where there is no concern that the participants should be paid.  For example, would you consider little leaguers employees?  What about Texas high school football players?  

As far as I know high school athletic associations prohibit athletes from being compensated for any activity connected to their sport (i.e. they can't sell a photograph of themselves in their school uniform). 

That will probably change along with college rules in the not-so-distant future.  Catholic and private high schools would probably be the biggest benefactor for attracting elite athletes.

[Softball Fan]

  There are lots of organizations that are functionally like the NCAA where there is no concern that the participants should be paid.  For example, would you consider little leaguers employees?  What about Texas high school football players?  

As far as I know high school athletic associations prohibit athletes from being compensated for any activity connected to their sport (i.e. they can't sell a photograph of themselves in their school uniform). 

That will probably change along with college rules in the not-so-distant future.  Catholic and private high schools would probably be the biggest benefactor for attracting elite athletes.