Stephen A. Smith has weighed in on the surprising revelation that OnlyFans content creators, including 20-year-old model Sophie Rain, are out-earning many of the NBA’s most prominent stars. Speaking on The Stephen A. Smith Show, the ESPN analyst didn’t hold back in addressing the implications of such staggering financial success from the subscription-based platform.
Rain recently shared screenshots indicating she had earned a jaw-dropping $43.4 million over the past year on OnlyFans, including more than $4 million from a single fan. “I guess he might be the horniest man in America, huh?” Smith quipped, underscoring his disbelief.
To put Rain’s earnings into perspective, Smith noted that her income exceeded the annual salaries of several NBA superstars, including Anthony Davis, Luka Don?i?, Kyrie Irving, and Anthony Edwards.
He also pointed out a broader financial comparison: in 2023, OnlyFans content creators collectively earned $6.6 billion, surpassing the $4.9 billion paid out in salaries across the entire NBA.
Smith found it particularly perplexing that Rain, who identifies as a devout Christian and claims to be a virgin, could command such loyalty from fans, including one who contributed nearly $5 million. “Ms. Rain says she is a devout Christian and a virgin… and despite that, the man gave her damn near $5 million. That gives a whole new meaning to pervert,” Smith said. “What else can he be described as? Why are you paying a girl on OnlyFans nearly $5 million?”
Concerns Over Societal Impact
Smith admitted he had never visited OnlyFans or heard of Sophie Rain before reading about her earnings but expressed serious concerns about the platform’s broader societal implications.
“The scary part about this is that it will encourage people desperate for a quick buck to do anything they think will generate money,” Smith said. “Who knows what that’s going to create? You think there aren’t going to be people out there saying, ‘Well, what if I was willing to do something physical? What if I was willing to do porn?’”
Smith’s comments reflect a broader unease with the rapid financial success offered by platforms like OnlyFans, particularly as they normalize earning significant sums through provocative content. He worried about how this might influence young people and those in financial distress to pursue paths they might not have otherwise considered.
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Athletes and OnlyFans
While the platform is often associated with adult content, Smith also noted that athletes have turned to OnlyFans to bolster their income. Canadian pole vaulter Alysha Newman, for example, uses the platform and gained significant attention this summer when a celebratory twerk at the Paris Games went viral, earning her 20,000 new followers. Newman, who later won a bronze medal, defended her decision to join OnlyFans.
“There’s always a stigma around it, and I am well aware of it,” Newman told Mail Sport. “But I have so much faith in the company and where it’s going.”
Other athletes, such as British diver Jack Laugher, have also used OnlyFans to engage with fans and earn additional income, demonstrating that the platform’s use extends beyond traditional adult content.
The Debate Continues
Smith’s remarks have sparked debate over the rise of OnlyFans as a financial juggernaut and its impact on industries like sports and entertainment. While some see the platform as a legitimate avenue for creators to monetize their work, others, like Smith, caution against the potential moral and social consequences of its growing popularity.
As OnlyFans continues to redefine the relationship between content creators and their audiences, questions remain about its long-term influence—on not only individual users but also broader societal norms.
For Smith, the phenomenon serves as a wake-up call to reevaluate the ways success is pursued and celebrated in today’s culture.
