Let’s cut through the noise: the media’s obsession with Paige Spiranac is not merely about her golf skills. It’s about how she fits into the narrative of what’s considered “acceptable” beauty in sports. Back in 2017, when she donned that jaw-dropping form-fitting dress at the Derek Jeter Celebrity Invitational Gala, you could almost feel the droves of mainstream media outlets drooling over her looks rather than her talent. Yet, fast forward nearly a decade, and we see a different trend brewing.

Even as outlets like CNN and ESPN scramble to adulate her appearances, they often sidestep the fact that Paige is redefining the game on her own terms. Is that a threat to their cookie-cutter image of female athletes? You bet it is! Instead of a straight-up endorsement of her evolution, they package it with backhanded compliments and voyeuristic critiques, as if to say, “Look, but don’t forget: she’s an anomaly.”

It’s high time we assess not just how Paige has evolved, but how she’s been framed in the media landscape—a web of corporate spin that prioritizes superficial perceptions over genuine acknowledgment of her impact in golf and beyond. There’s a reason she resonates with millions: she’s an athlete, an influencer, and unapologetically herself. Let’s stop letting the establishment dictate how we ought to feel about women in sports.