Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
25
Jul 2024
Ripon's Jack Laugher discusses how OnlyFans funds his Olympic career
Ripon’s very own decorated Olympian has discussed why he has turned to OnlyFans to help fund his professional career.
In quotes widely reported in the national media today, 29-year-old Jack Laugher proudly addressed his side hustle on the adults-only platform days before his first event in Paris.
Jack, who is preparing for his fourth games, is still among the world's best divers but reportedly does not earn any money from his Olympic appearances.
OnlyFans is a subscription-based website, which fans pay a monthly fee to access. It is most commonly associated with sexually explicit material but users can choose what they post. None of Jack's content is X-rated.
Jack’s page, which is fronted by a photo of him in small swimming trunks, will set fans back $10 a month. Dedicated fans can pay $102 up front for an annual subscription.
It adds subscribers will receive “exclusive content, pictures and videos” that are not posted anywhere else.
He told media outlets including The Telegraph:
Obviously, I’ve got something people want, and I’ll happily cash in on that.
Jack stressed in the article his page does not include any nude content, which is corroborated in his bio. It reads the content is “SFW”, which means 'safe for work'.
Jack Laugher's OnlyFans homepage
‘Who doesn’t like a bit more money?’
Jack told the media he was the first member of the British diving team to take advantage of the platform, but several others have now followed suit, including teammate Noah Williams.
Dad was saying to me, ‘You put stuff out on Instagram for free – but when the product is free, like Instagram is, you are the product'. So, now I'm giving people stuff which is very similar to what I post online, but it's for a small subscription fee.
The Olympic star, who earned a gold and silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, said he loves what he does and expressed his gratitude for the position he is in, but asked: “Who doesn’t like a bit more money?”.
I understand that people might look at it negatively. I understand the way it’s perceived. I get it.
I’ve done underwear modelling calendars. I’ll do anything to hustle for some more money.
It’s a really, really good way for me to make some extra cash and just try and set myself up for the future a little bit. I’ve never had to do a job, to work at a supermarket or anything.
Divers’ funding ‘hasn’t changed’
The diving champion compared his sport's earning potential with that of players at Wimbledon.
He said the tennis tournament’s prize pot was “extraordinary”, adding players that are defeated in the first round make “more than I make in a whole year as a funded athlete”.
Jack has been competing at an international level for more than a decade, but says there has been little increase in divers’ earnings since then:
When I first went on [in 2011], it was £21,000 for the top eight in the world. At the time, as a 16-year-old, I was buzzing.
But I’m almost 30 now, I’m top three in the world, and it is £28,000 a year, which is obviously a very good salary. It’s a very liveable one – I’m in such a lucky, lucky position.
But it’s not a commonly perceived sporting salary, as it were. When I was younger, my dad would say, ‘If you win an Olympic gold medal, that’s worth £1 million’. But it’s not. It’s nowhere near that – and I can tell you that as someone who has got an Olympic gold medal.
Athletics is the only sport with prize-money up for grabs at this year’s Olympics, despite the International Olympic Committee generating billions through broadcasting and commercial revenues.
According to Aquatics GB, former Ripon Grammar School pupil Jack is the most successful British diver ever, it adds, after making history at the Rio Olympics.
He and synchronised diving partner, Chris Mears, took home gold in the three-metre synchro round, which he then followed up with a silver in the three-metre springboard.
Jack also bagged a bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Ripon Grammar School today wished him good luck at his fourth competition.
“You can do it, Jack – everyone from your old school will be cheering you on”, the school said.
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games begin tomorrow. You can read our profile on Harrogate hopeful George Mills now, and look out for another feature on our homegrown Olympians coming soon.
0