Is there ANY advantage to obtaining a SPL? (Or obtaining one as a stepping stone?)

[WDD]

Personal opinion, if there's no medical issue, then the Sport Pilot is mostly pointless.

Very few people are going to get the SPL *or* PPL in the minimum amount of time. By the time you have the skills to take the SPL, you've probably got the time and skills to take the PPL.

Well said. No shade to LSA or Sport Pilot License, but for just a little more time you get the PPL license that gives you a lot more options.