We’re obsessed with the GOAT debate—Jordan vs. LeBron, Brady vs. Elway, Aaron vs. Ohtani—but these cross-generational comparisons are draining the joy out of greatness. Sports evolve, eras shift, and athletes rise within their own moment. Maybe it’s time to stop ranking and start appreciating.

Cooper Flagg is set to earn nearly $14 million in his rookie NBA season. Paige Bueckers, the top WNBA draft pick, won’t make a fraction of that — despite having the same spotlight, same talent, and arguably more cultural pull. This article dives into the economics, exposure, and inequities behind the numbers — and asks the question: what message are we really sending?