Olympic Dream and Side Hustle: The Surprising Rise of Athletes on OnlyFans

A top-level canoeist, currently aspiring to compete for Team GB at the Olympics, is also navigating a controversial side career on a platform known primarily for adult content. His name is Kurts Adams Rozentals, a 22-year-old silver medalist in canoe slalom, who has gained notoriety for his presence on OnlyFans, a site infamous for explicit material.

Rozentals, who has earned six figures in just eight months on the platform, clarifies that he doesn’t see himself as a sex worker, but admits he does exchange sexual content for money. His first day on OnlyFans brought in £2,500, and he now offers nude images with private messaging options for higher pay, taking home 80% of earnings. This side gig’s success has led to his suspension from Paddle UK, the governing body of his sport, highlighting the tension between his athletic ambitions and his online activities.

Many athletes, like cricket star Tymal Mills and retired speed skater Elise Christie, have turned to the platform for financial support. Mills, who promotes sports tips, shares that his content remains family-friendly, showcasing the platform’s versatility. Christie, who experienced financial hardship after her competitive career, now posts nearly daily, using OnlyFans as a lifeline.

Other sports figures, including divers Noah Williams and Jack Laugher, have joined with varying content promises—Laugher explicitly states there will be no nudity. Athletes justify their choices citing financial necessity, with some emphasizing their ownership and control over their content.

Despite the stigma, the platform’s popularity continues to grow among athletes, many of whom see it as a way to supplement modest sports funding—British lottery support rarely exceeds £28,000 annually—and to capitalize on their personal brands. Rozentals believes outdated perceptions restrict athletes’ freedoms, emphasizing that his pursuit of Olympic goals remains intact.

This emerging trend raises questions about the evolving relationship between sports, personal branding, and privacy. As athletes delve into digital content creation, the line between sport and spectacle blurs, underscoring a significant shift in modern athletic careers.