[anomaloustho]

It feels odd to say that athletes are intrinsically valued more by society over doctors. It seems more like an effect of scarcity.

There are 2.5 doctors per 100 people. I would imagine there are far less high percentile world-class performance athletes.

Corporations then bid on those scarce high performance athletes against other coporations.

[wonderwonder]

I agree it does seem very odd to say that, but I would say if one looks at our modern society and the way athletes are paid and idolized that for the most part the statement is true. Most people could not name 5 doctors, but they could name ten athletes. I'm not saying I like it but I think its correct.