Liz Cambage’s OnlyFans Success: A Spotlight on the WNBA’s Pay Inequity
In 2022, WNBA superstar Liz Cambage shocked the sports community by stepping away from basketball to join OnlyFans—a move that reportedly allowed her to outearn her entire WNBA income in just one week. Beyond the headlines, her story underscores the glaring pay disparities and systemic failures in women’s professional sports.
From Basketball to Digital Entrepreneurship
Over six WNBA seasons, Cambage earned roughly 590,000 in 2021. In stark contrast, her OnlyFans platform, launched in late 2021, now generates $1.5 million annually, eclipsing her basketball earnings. Remarkably, she allegedly matched her total WNBA career income within seven days on the site.
Cambage’s choice was driven by practicality: “The WNBA doesn’t pay my bills,” she asserted, highlighting the league’s low wages compared to international opportunities and modern revenue avenues.
The Systemic Failures Behind Her Departure
Cambage’s exit wasn’t solely about money. She labeled her final season with the Los Angeles Sparks as an “unhealthy environment,” citing locker-room friction and inadequate organizational support. After leaving the team in 2022, she pursued lucrative international contracts—including a $1 million deal with China’s Sichuan Yuanda—and embraced OnlyFans, where she merged financial independence with creative control.
Her experience reflects deeper WNBA challenges:
- Wage Gap: The league’s top salary ($234,936) pales in comparison to NBA figures.
- Overseas Reliance: Many players, like Cambage, seek higher pay abroad.
- Structural Shortcomings: Cambage accused the WNBA of neglecting player safety and support.
OnlyFans: Autonomy or Controversy?
While critics debate her career shift, Cambage views OnlyFans as a space for self-expression and ownership. She shares “artistic and bold content,” reshaping her identity beyond athletics. “Basketball was just one chapter,” she noted, stressing her pursuit of diverse passions.
Her success mirrors a trend of athletes using digital platforms to monetize their influence. OnlyFans revenue now fuels projects like her wellness brand Vitadrop and partnerships with Adidas and Savage x Fenty.
Navigating Backlash and Scrutiny
Cambage’s career has faced turbulence. In 2022, she denied allegations of using racial slurs during an Olympic warm-up game, though the claims impacted her reputation. Her WNBA tenure, marked by public disputes and team changes, also drew criticism. Yet, her financial breakthrough on OnlyFans has redirected focus to systemic flaws rather than personal controversies.
A Catalyst for Change in Women’s Sports
Cambage’s journey epitomizes hurdles female athletes confront:
- Pay Inequity: WNBA salaries average 0.5% of NBA earnings, despite rising viewership.
- Alternative Income: Platforms like OnlyFans offer financial freedom but spark debates about the commodification of bodies.
- Global Competition: Leagues in Australia, China, and Israel lure talent with higher pay.
“I’m building a new legacy,” Cambage stated. Her success pressures the WNBA to innovate—or risk losing stars to platforms that value empowerment over tradition.
Final Takeaway: More Than a Career Shift
Liz Cambage’s pivot from the court to OnlyFans isn’t just provocative—it’s a demand for fairness. While the WNBA has boosted its profile, her story reveals a system where athletes sacrifice financial stability for passion. Until the league addresses pay gaps and prioritizes player welfare, trailblazers like Cambage will continue carving their own paths, proving value exists beyond the game.