Yes. You have Einstein's "Dostoevsky gives me more than any scientist, more than Gauss!", and I don't think anyone of note ever said anything like that about any athlete. Yes, pro sports beget more pro sports, but that's not a positive feature.
It seems like you're over-intellectualizing the human experience. You don't think anyone has been inspired by sports? I just watched my entire city come alive with Stanley Cup fever. People were having a great time, it was a party the whole time.
I barely understand the sport itself, I'm not a team sports guy, but to deny the excitement, inspiration, and sheer joy seems ridiculous under the crushing weight of the energy sports can bring people. People use it to better themselves, not just trying to get more pro sports, and that's a goal I think every person should strive towards. We are thinking things, but we're also masses of tissue, and it's important to celebrate that connection and that part of us.
You can read Dostoesvsky and watch pro sports. They're not mutually exclusive. Do you think going to a music concert to listen to professional musicians play is also "wasteful" and of no benefit for anyone?
I'd say yes, but then I'd say the same thing about reading Dostoevsky (if talking with this mindset), so I'm not really on GP's side re: novels being more valuable than sports.
"You get no getting new insight, catharsis or inspiration from watching someone run."
Applies to all of them?