Professional beach volleyball player Avery Poppinga is taking her game to a new arena – the digital platform OnlyFans. Known primarily for adult content, OnlyFans is branching out, welcoming athletes like Poppinga to the fold. This shift allows professional athletes to manage daunting expenses while keeping fans engaged with diverse content.
Poppinga, a former Florida State University student athlete, disclosed the financial strains that led her to this unconventional sponsorship. "It’s absolutely changed my life, like for the better," she shared, referring to the panic she felt over costly international travel and coaching expenses, which she estimated at $50,000 annually. By leveraging OnlyFans, Poppinga has found relief from these burdens, allowing her to focus fully on her sport.
“So just being able to do that and not have to worry about the financials has been the most amazing, eye-opening experience ever.”
While OnlyFans is often associated with adult material, Poppinga is quick to highlight its broader applications. "Every athlete is open to do whatever they’d like. A lot of my content is strictly volleyball. My uniform is my swimsuit," she explains. Her presence on the platform illustrates how athletes can use OnlyFans to share their professional journeys and personal stories, offering more than just sports fans something to cheer for.
With over 285 professional athletes now joining her on OnlyFans, Poppinga is part of a growing trend that sees athletes turning to digital platforms to offset costs while staying true to their sport.