Athletes continue to flock to OnlyFans.

If you’re familiar with the world of professional beach volleyball, then the name Falyn Fonoimoana is one you’ve likely heard before. If you’re a regular OnlyFans subscriber, you might have heard her name too, as Fonoimoana is the newest professional athlete to join OnlyFans. Athletes like Fonoimoana are flocking to OnlyFans in droves, lured by the promise of creative and financial freedom, and the ability to connect with fans outside of sporting events.

Falyn Fonoimoana has been a force in the volleyball world since before her college years. She comes from a volleyball-playing family—both her mother and uncle played, and her uncle won a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. She began playing volleyball at USC in her freshman year, earning accolades during her first year of school. She then played internationally, traveling to countries like Puerto Rico and Poland for games and tournaments. Around 2017-2018, she transitioned from court volleyball to beach volleyball, competing on the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) Tour and winning a NORCECA tournament in Punta Cana. She’s got a resume that many players only dream of, and now, she’s decided it’s time to join OnlyFans.

OnlyFans isn’t just a hub for adult content—more and more, it’s being used by athletes to share exclusive content (think training insights) and engage directly with fans. Athletes join OnlyFans for a host of reasons, including:

  • Financial independence: Many professional athletes—especially those in niche sports—don’t make as much money as mainstream superstars.
  • Content control: Unlike traditional social media, OnlyFans lets creators monetize their content directly without waiting for the powers that be to decide that they’re worthy of compensation.
  • Stronger fan connection: Athletes are able to utilize OnlyFans to engage with their audience in ways that traditional sports coverage in media doesn’t allow.

Athletes like Paige VanZant, Renee Gracie, Key Alves, Matthew Mitcham, and Kay Hansen have all chosen to join OnlyFans, using the platform to grow their fanbase and support themselves financially, regardless of whether or not their sport is in season.

Athletes like Fonoimoana joining OnlyFans shows that perceptions around the adults-only platform are changing. Platforms like Peloton and Twitch have set a precedent for fan-supported content, and now that culture is extending to OnlyFans as well. Athletes needing tangible ways to support their income after their competitive careers are over are utilizing OnlyFans to offer exercise tips, meal preparation ideas, and behind-the-scenes footage of their day-to-day training routines—all as a way to connect with the fans who follow their athletic careers. This shift to OnlyFans isn’t so much about controversy as it is about business and personal brand expansion.

Digital monetization in sports is only going to continue now that it’s begun. Traditional sports earnings are inconsistent at best, with sponsorships often only favoring top-tier athletes. That said, alternative income streams have been on the rise—NFTs, social media monetization, and subscription-based content creation. OnlyFans fits in well with these alternative revenue streams, and unlike other social media platforms, OnlyFans allows full monetization. Athletes have found a way to adapt to the digital economy, just like entertainers and influencers worldwide.

Falyn Fonoimoana’s OnlyFans move is in line with a growing trend of athletes who have found a digital home on OnlyFans. This shift shows that athletes want more financial control, understand that fan engagement keeps the wheels turning, and believe that long-term brand building should be in their hands, not left to a team publicist. Given that this trend is only growing in popularity, it’s only a matter of time before more athletes choose to join the adults-only platform. Who do you hope to see on OnlyFans next?