It’s no surprise to see athletes switch up their careers once they’ve hung up their kits or while still active. We’ve witnessed former WWE wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson become one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors and former NFL wide receiver Andrew Hawkins move into broadcasting. We’ve also seen ex-UFC fighter Demetrious Johnson dive into full-time gaming, and basketball players like Jeremy Lin dabble in film and media, among several others.

However, in a more unexpected transition, this article will explore the stories of five female athletes who transitioned into the world of content creation on OnlyFans. Let’s dive right in!

Madelene Wright

Wright started her football career with the Millwall Lionesses before moving to Charlton Athletic Women. Although she showed some potential on the field, her time with Charlton came to an unexpected end in late 2020 after she posted Snapchat videos that showed her inhaling a balloon and sipping champagne while at the wheel of a car. The club deemed the content “not acceptable,” leading to the termination of her contract. She was just 18 years old at the time.

What followed was a complete career change. In 2021, Wright launched an OnlyFans account, and it didn’t take long for her to make waves. She shares sensual imagery that highlights glamour and allure. Her posts often feature her in lingerie, swimwear, and different erotic outfits. Thanks to her growing popularity and fanbase, she reportedly raked around £500,000 a year through the platform.

Wright, however, didn’t entirely turn her back on football. After some time away, she returned to the sport, signing with Leyton Orient Women in 2024 and later joining Chesham United Women in 2025. 

Beyond football and OnlyFans, Madelene’s looking to broaden her digital presence even more. She’s floated the idea of getting into online streaming, particularly gaming. Speaking of gaming, you can check out the Mines Aviator Game and other exciting titles in your free time.

Liz Cambage

Cambage made her professional debut as a basketball player in 2007, playing for the Dandenong Rangers in the Australian Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL). It didn’t take long for her to rise to prominence, and by 2011, she was selected as the second overall pick in the WNBA Draft by the Tulsa Shock (now the Dallas Wings). 

Over six seasons in the WNBA, Cambage earned four All-Star selections and became one of the most formidable forces in women’s basketball. Internationally, Cambage represented Australia, contributing to their gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and securing a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics.

Cambage retired from professional basketball in 2022, but her career didn’t end there. In 2021, she dived into the world of OnlyFans, and within her first week, she reportedly earned more than she had throughout her entire WNBA career. Now, she’s reportedly earning around $1.6 million annually from her content, which showcases a combination of fashion, lifestyle, body positivity, and sensuality.

Renee Gracie

Renee Gracie was Australia’s first female motorsport star to compete in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship in 2013. There, she had a strong run with multiple top-10 finishes and a perfect race completion record. She then transitioned to the Supercars Dunlop Series, where she became the first full-time female competitor in the series in 14 years. 

Gracie also competed in the Bathurst 1000 in 2015 and 2016. She crashed in her first race in 2015 but returned the next year and finished 14th. However, by 2017, after a few tough seasons and losing sponsorships, she decided to leave racing.

By 2019, Gracie decided to pivot into a completely different path, becoming an OnlyFans content creator. She explained that motorsport was no longer her passion, especially given the lack of financial support and respect she encountered in the male-dominated industry.

Within a short time, Gracie reportedly earned over $6 million from her OnlyFans. This gave her financial freedom and a chance to revive her racing career, as she used income from her adult content on OnlyFans to fund her return to motorsport. In 2023, she competed in the GT World Challenge Australia and won the Trophy Class title. She returned again in 2024 with an upgraded car and a spot in the top-tier class. Her car now prominently features OnlyFans branding, one of the biggest sponsors on the Australian racing scene.

Elise Christie

Born in Livingston, Scotland, Christie started as a figure skater but later transitioned into speed skating. She went on to become a 10-time European gold medallist, two-time overall European champion (2015 and 2016), and a triple world champion in 2017. These accolades made her the first British and European woman to win the overall world title in short-track speed skating.

In 2021, Christie announced her retirement after an ankle injury that ruled her out of the Beijing Olympics. But life post-sport wasn’t easy. According to her, she experienced homelessness and financial instability and was working multiple jobs to stay afloat. In a bid to remedy her financial situation, Christie joined OnlyFans. On OnlyFans, she shares fitness content, personal stories, and lingerie photos. She’s, however, hinted at a potential return to skating, possibly aiming for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Alysha Newman

Alysha Eveline Newman is a Canadian pole vaulter who won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her career took off after she won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, after which she broke several national records, won a Diamond League event in 2019, and earned strong finishes on the World Indoor Tour.

Unfortunately, she suffered a serious concussion that threatened her career in 2021 and had a disappointing show at the Tokyo Olympics. Despite these setbacks, she made a strong comeback. By 2023, she won the World Athletics Indoor Tour and returned to top form ahead of her Olympic success in Paris.

However, in 2020, during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Tokyo Olympics postponement, Alysha Newman launched an OnlyFans account to connect with fans and share behind-the-scenes looks at her training. Her content includes training clips, motivational messages, fitness tips, and lingerie photoshoots.

Conclusion

Athletes have always found ways to reinvent themselves during or after their time in competitive sports. It could be by stepping into media, business, entertainment, or other creative ventures. Now, with the growth of digital platforms offering direct-to-fan content like OnlyFans, more athletes, especially women, have been capitalizing on their image and followership, monetizing exclusive content for fans.