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Not a bad comparison. My mother worked for a graduate engineering program at a well-known private institution. The program's director had a son who was a computer whiz. At 16-17 years old, he designed an advanced game engine that ultimately was used to power some very popular computer games.
Dad wanted him to go to school - he took the job and instant cash. Still collects royalties, though I think he also has had some of the same adjustment issues that athletes face when jumping straight from HS to big bucks. But nobody ended up saying that he was wrong for doing what he did - it is acceptable to do it in the right field.
That said, I think there is a lot more instant $ for sports stars than for academic stars, and certainly more renown. Nobody knows this other kid's name, they just play the games he gave hem the power to create.
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