Are Onlyfans Sponsorships The Future For Pro Runners? Let’S Dive In!

Breaking New Ground: Sabrina Stanley’s Bold Move

Hey there, sports fans! Let’s talk about a game-changer in the running world. In early 2025, ultrarunner Sabrina Stanley, a fierce 34-year-old trailblazer, didn’t just crush a race or set a record - she made waves with a jaw-dropping sponsorship deal. Her new backer? None other than OnlyFans, the platform often tied to spicier content but now flexing its muscles in the sports arena.

The buzz was instant. While some raised an eyebrow at OnlyFans’ risqué rep, many in the running community couldn’t help but cheer. It’s bold, it’s savvy, and honestly, kind of empowering. Ultrarunner Dylan Bowman, in his FreeTrail newsletter, dubbed it an “exciting step,” giving props to Stanley for tapping into an unconventional way to connect with fans and fund her career.

And Stanley? She’s all about owning her choices. For her, this isn’t about stirring the pot - it’s about freedom, staying true to herself, and building a sustainable future in a tough sport. She’s not the only one rewriting the rules either. Hurdler Christina Clemons turned heads at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials with Doritos-shaped earrings, landing a sweet deal with the snack giant. Clearly, runners are stepping away from cookie-cutter endurance sponsorships for partnerships with more flair and financial control.

OnlyFans in Sports: What’s the Deal?

So, how does OnlyFans fit into the athletic world? For the uninitiated, it’s a subscription-based platform where creators share exclusive content with fans for a monthly fee. Think workouts, behind-the-scenes peeks, or even personal chats - plus, creators can earn extra through tips and pay-per-view posts. It’s all about giving them the reins over their content and cash flow.

Over the last couple of years, OnlyFans has been making big moves in sports, supporting athletes in niche fields where traditional sponsorships are as rare as a unicorn. From funding training costs to fostering direct fan connections, the platform’s got athletes covered - whether they’re into mountain biking (shoutout to Lewis Buchanan), surfing (hey, Billy Kemper), or even rally racing (looking at you, Alba Sanchez). They’ve even got a series, Rise & Grind on OFTV, spilling the tea on athletes’ daily grinds and personal stories.

“We’re all about tailoring our support to each athlete’s unique journey, ensuring they’ve got what they need to shine both on and off the track,” an OnlyFans spokesperson shared.

A Fresh Take on Sponsorships

For Stanley, teaming up with OnlyFans means breaking free from the shackles of traditional deals. No more being locked into a single shoe brand or sweating over strict contract clauses like exclusivity or performance quotas. Those old-school agreements? They’re often not even that lucrative. Reports from Outside Run suggest pro runner salaries range from a modest $15,000 a year for trail runners to $300,000 for marathon superstars - and that’s if you’re not sidelined by injury or underperformance.

“Building a lasting career in endurance sports is a real grind unless you’re at the very top,” Stanley’s agent, Tyler Clements, told Outside Run. “There’s no team paycheck, and race prize money? It’s often peanuts - or nonexistent.” Stanley weighed her options carefully, even chatting with her mom and partner before signing on. She waited until her shoe contract ended in 2024 to make it official, ensuring this was a full sponsorship, not just a side gig.

Now, Stanley’s got the power to decide how she uses the platform. She can keep it casual like an Instagram feed or dive into paid content for extra income. Her posts mix workouts, race updates, personal thoughts, and yes, even some tasteful nude shots - a nod to her feminist values. She’s challenging the idea that showing skin diminishes her worth, proving you can be smart, kind, and confident while doing things your way.

Freedom to Run Her Way

One of the sexiest perks of Stanley’s OnlyFans deal? Total flexibility. She’s cycling through multiple shoe brands - sometimes three or four - based on what her body needs each day. That kind of freedom is a game-changer for performance, and it’s something rigid traditional contracts rarely allow. Plus, platforms like OnlyFans and Patreon are letting athletes build loyal “superfan” communities through exclusive content and direct monetization.

“Paid subscribers aren’t just fans - they’re invested,” Clements notes. “They’re more likely to support products an athlete truly believes in.” Take the coaching duo David and Megan Roche of the Some Work, All Play podcast - they use Patreon for bonus episodes and Q&As, creating a steady income and a tight-knit fanbase without relying on ads. It’s all about creative control and deeper connections.

Stanley officially became the first pro trail runner sponsored by OnlyFans in March 2025, setting a precedent for others. It’s a reminder that athletes are craving three things: the freedom to create, financial independence, and a real bond with their supporters. Could this be the future of sports sponsorships? We’re definitely intrigued.

Reimagining Teams with Colleen Quigley

Meanwhile, middle-distance star and 2016 Olympian Colleen Quigley is shaking things up in her own way. In June 2025, she unveiled Meridia, a groundbreaking athlete-owned pro women’s running team. Unlike traditional setups tied to a single shoe brand or top-down coaching, Meridia puts the power in the athletes’ hands - they pick their coaches, shape the culture, and even choose their brand partners.

“We’re building this from the ground up,” Quigley explains. “No one’s telling us where to live, who to train with, or what to wear - we’ve got the flexibility to decide.” Having experienced the constraints of Nike’s Bowerman Track Club firsthand, where the brand owned the team’s identity, she’s determined to flip the script. Meridia aims to attract non-traditional sponsors by leveraging the collective reach of a unified, high-profile group.

The big question is whether Meridia can deliver both on the track and in the boardroom. With women’s sports gaining momentum and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, Quigley believes the timing couldn’t be better. She’s betting on sophisticated storytelling and athlete-driven narratives to draw in brands - and honestly, we’re rooting for her to pull it off.

A Personal Battle and Unwavering Support

On a more heartfelt note, Stanley’s journey took a tough turn this year with a cancer diagnosis. After undergoing major surgeries - including the removal of her uterus, cervix, ovaries, and lymph nodes - she started preventive chemotherapy on August 1. Her dream race, UTMB, is off the table for now, but she’s holding onto hope for a late fall comeback, even if it’s just light running.

“Just thinking about getting back out there, even slowly, keeps me going,” Stanley shared. Despite not racing, she’s felt nothing but love from OnlyFans. “They’ve been amazing,” she says. “I feel like I’m not doing enough since I’m not competing, but that’s just me being hard on myself. My agent Tyler’s kept them updated, and they’ve had my back every step of the way.”

It’s a reminder that behind the bold moves and sponsorship deals, these athletes are human - facing real challenges with grit and grace. Stanley’s story isn’t just about breaking norms; it’s about resilience. And we can’t wait to see her lace up those running shoes again.