Are OnlyFans Creators Outearning Pro Athletes?

Recent reports have revealed that the earnings of OnlyFans’ top creators have outpaced those of many star athletes across sports.

NBA Stars vs. OnlyFans Models

The world of sports has long been associated with million-dollar contracts, endorsement deals, and the ultimate goal of financial freedom. But what if we told you that some OnlyFans creators are pulling in more money than professional athletes like Stephen Curry or LeBron James? It may sound shocking, but the numbers don’t lie. 

Look at Stephen Curry and LeBron James, two of the most recognizable faces in the NBA. Curry, with an estimated $48 million annual salary, and James, at $44.5 million, are among the world’s highest-paid basketball players. But the story changes when we compare them to OnlyFans stars like Amouranth or Bella Thorne. Amouranth reportedly earned over $27 million in 2021, while Bella Thorne made headlines after raking in $1 million in just 24 hours upon joining the platform.

According to reports, the entire NBA payroll for the 2023-24 season sits at around $5.02 billion. By contrast, OnlyFans creators have collectively earned a jaw-dropping $6.6 billion in the same period, an increase from $5.5 billion in 2022. This upward trajectory for OnlyFans creators seems unstoppable, with more content creators signing up and a growing fan base willing to pay for exclusive content.

It’s hard to comprehend that an industry many people still underestimate is now financially outperforming sports leagues that have existed for decades.

A Billion Dollar Gap: What the Experts Are Saying

This financial chasm is not going unnoticed. Social media was ablaze when news broke about the gap between NBA salaries and OnlyFans earnings. One outlet reported:

“Social media had all sorts of things to say after learning that OnlyFans models made over $1 billion more than every single NBA player combined last year”.

The fact that a platform built around independent creators is generating more revenue than a professional sports league might feel like the ultimate plot twist.

The trajectory for athletes in other sports isn’t much different. In 2022, the entire payroll for Major League Baseball (MLB) was about $4.2 billion, while the National Hockey League (NHL) hovered around $2.7 billion. The soccer world, including FIFA, has seen its top players earning massive contracts, but most athletes don’t come close to the revenue of OnlyFans’ top creators.

What’s Driving These Numbers?

It’s not just the content that makes creators rich—it’s the business model. OnlyFans provides a direct connection between creators and their fans. Subscribers pay monthly fees for exclusive access, and creators can earn money through private messages, tips, and personalized content.

In contrast, professional athletes rely heavily on endorsement deals and league contracts. While top-tier players like LeBron and Curry have massive endorsement portfolios—earning millions from brands like Nike and Under Armour—most athletes don’t have such lucrative side incomes. And while salary caps restrict teams, OnlyFans has no such limitations. This has allowed some creators to amass fortunes beyond even the most elite athletes.

OnlyFans vs. Professional Athletes: What Does This Mean?

The success of OnlyFans creators could be seen as a sign of the times. Allowing people to become very rich only by using their smartphones. Athletes, despite their fame, are often tied down by contracts and endorsements, while creators have complete control over their income and content.

This raises an important question: should athletes worry about losing their financial edge to internet personalities? It doesn’t look like LeBron James or Stephen Curry will have to swap the court for a camera anytime soon, but the gap between creators and athletes is closing rapidly. As OnlyFans grows and creators rake in billions, we might see more people turning to the platform as a viable way to out-earn even the most famous pro athletes.

The Future: More Athletes Joining OnlyFans?

While athletes’ earning potential remains high, there’s no denying the pull of OnlyFans. A few athletes, like Australian Olympian Emily Seebohm and MMA fighter Paige VanZant, have already made their way onto the platform, diversifying their income streams and connecting directly with fans. Could this be the beginning of a trend where more athletes look to OnlyFans as a side hustle? Time will tell.

The game has changed whether you’re a professional athlete or a digital content creator. The lines between traditional fame and online success are blurring, and in 2024, it seems that OnlyFans creators may very well be out-earning some of the biggest names in sports.