Again, the problem is the "merely". Sports stars are ICs and they're well paid.

I've only seen people get upset when others act like ICs on sports teams. "Ball hog" and the like. I don't think that's a example of one.

That's a misunderstanding of what IC means: "an employee responsible for performing specific tasks or functions within an organization without the authority to manage other employees". Keyword is authority, not leadership or teamplay.

Perhaps we need a better term, but the concept itself is fine.