It wasn’t too long ago that social media made it easy for athletes to turn their newfound fame into cash. Even those in less traditionally popular sports were able to create profiles on Meta platforms Instagram and Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Tiktok and quickly gain a large following that they could use to snag corporate sponsored ad placements as well as income from the social media company itself. But as the algorithm and laws have changed around social media over the years, it’s become more difficult and many athletes are struggling.

And that’s why many have turned to OnlyFans. The subscription-based platform allows for easy monetization of paywalled content unlike other social media platforms. While some do offer a version of paywalled content, it’s usually difficult to manage and collect income from. So if you’ve noticed an increase in athletes on OnlyFans, you’re not alone.

Athletes have been joining in droves for years, including many Olympic athletes like British swimmer Jack Laugher, New Zealand rower Robbie Manson, Canadian pole vaulter Alysha Newman, and divers Timo Barthel and Diego Belleza Isaias. Many of these Olympians shared that they turned to OnlyFans when other funding for their training and living expenses while they trained came up short, a common occurrence for many athletes these days.

OnlyFans has taken notice of the trend, and in 2022, they began making sponsorship deals with a rising number of athletes — including many outdoor athletes that are often overlooked by traditional corporate sponsors. The subscription-based platform seems to be offering similar compensation and perks as corporate sponsors like sports brands HOKA or Adidas. But unlike with those brands, athletes are given much more freedom of expression (and likely no rules around propriety or moral clauses to abide by.)

An OnlyFans spokesperson said, “OnlyFans is passionate about providing opportunities for athletes in smaller, niche sports, recognizing that it is often harder for them to access funding and to reach a wide audience.”

That’s why Sabrina Stanley, a two-time Hardrock 100 winner, FKT record holder, and former Adidas athlete, joined the platform last year. The Colorado-based runner announced the sponsorship on Instagram in a statement: “I couldn’t be more excited to join the OnlyFans team of athletes and their diverse community of creators. This sponsorship allows me to share my journey in new and exciting ways while continuing to push my limits in the mountains.”

The trail runner continued: “Honestly, I’ve wanted to join OnlyFans for years. This sponsorship is about more than just racing—it lets me share my whole journey, ups and downs included, in ways I never could before.”

Red Bull-sponsored cliff diver Ellie Smart also joined the OnlyFans, making a similar announcement as Stanley on Instagram. “I’m beyond excited to announce I’ve joined @onlyfans as an official athlete! From insane stunts to raw, unfiltered moments, you’ll get exclusive access to my world—no limits, no holding back. Go subscribe! 🤍🦋❤️‍🔥”

Other OnlyFans sponsored outdoor athletes include champion motorcycle racer Josh Herrin, downhill mountain biker Stefan Garlicki, and motocross racer David Pulley. Each athlete gets to decide exactly how much — or how little — they choose to show on their individual accounts.

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