**Influencers Out-Earn Olympic Athletes as Paris 2024 Approaches**

As the Paris 2024 Olympics draw near, a surprising trend has emerged: digital influencers are surpassing Olympic athletes in earnings. This revelation comes as many athletes face financial struggles despite their commitment and achievements on the global stage.

The financial disparity was highlighted recently when British Olympic diver Jack Laugher revealed he had turned to the subscription-based platform OnlyFans to make ends meet. Laugher described the platform as a "lifeline," underscoring the financial challenges athletes face. His move follows a broader trend where Olympic athletes are seeking alternative income sources due to insufficient funding from traditional sports structures.

One OnlyFans creator, Sophie Rain, has notably out-earned even the highest-paid NBA players. Rain, who began her career on the platform in April of last year, reported earnings of over $43 million in her first year. Comparatively, NBA stars like Jayson Tatum and even the iconic LeBron James, whose salaries are $35 million and $47 million respectively, are left behind in this financial race.

The financial landscape has been shifting dramatically, with OnlyFans creators collectively earning $6.6 billion in the last year, exceeding the combined salaries of every NBA player for the 2023-2024 season by a staggering $1.7 million. This emerging financial gap is not confined to basketball but extends across all sports, prompting athletes to venture into digital income streams.

Global Athlete's director general, Rob Koehler, has been vocal about the broken funding model in Olympic sports. He highlighted that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) generates over $1.7 billion yearly but does not adequately compensate the athletes. According to Koehler, many athletes struggle financially while the organizations overseeing the sports benefit significantly.

As the disparity continues to widen, the conversation around athlete compensation and the economic realities in the digital age becomes increasingly urgent. The Paris 2024 Olympics may showcase not just the pinnacle of athletic performance but also the evolving financial landscape that athletes must navigate.