Expansion teams have become one of the most polarizing trends in modern sports. Whether it’s giving a new city a fresh identity or pumping extra revenue into a league, every new franchise raises the same question: Does expansion actually strengthen the sport, or simply spread the talent too thin? From the Utah Mammoth to the Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken, the answer looks less straightforward than ever.

Money drives nearly every part of modern sports — from college NIL deals to multi-million-dollar pros earning bonuses for mic’d-up moments. Yet, not every athlete plays for a paycheck. From the Ryder Cup’s long-standing debate on compensation to the NBA’s in-season prize purses, this story explores whether today’s stars are motivated more by love of the game… or the commas in their contracts.

From “Slim Reaper” to “Cheetah,” today’s athletes are more than their stats—they’re icons with names that capture their essence. These nicknames go beyond the scoreboard, telling stories of speed, dominance, and charisma. Here are the five best athlete nicknames in sports right now—and the stories behind them.