OnlyFans, the UK-based subscription platform renowned for its adult content, is reportedly in advanced discussions to sell the company for approximately $8 billion (£5.9 billion) to an investor group led by the Los Angeles-based Forest Road Company. These talks have been ongoing since at least March 2025, though no deal has been finalized, and other potential buyers are also in discussions.
OnlyFans by the Numbers: Revenue, Users & Creators
In the fiscal year ending November 2023, OnlyFans reported:
- Revenue: $1.3 billion, a 20% increase from the previous year.
- Pre-tax Profit: $658 million.
- Creator Payouts: $6.6 billion.
- User Base: Over 4 million content creators and 305 million registered users.
The platform takes a 20% commission on creators’ earnings.
Potential Reasons For OnlyFans Sale
- Financial Windfall: Owner Leonid Radvinsky may be cashing out at peak valuation after earning over $1B in dividends.
- Regulatory Pressure: Facing fines like the £1M Ofcom penalty for age-verification failures.
- Legal Scrutiny: Allegations of underage content and sex trafficking have increased pressure on the platform.
- Mainstream Appeal: A sale could help reposition the brand beyond adult content to reach wider audiences.
- Investor Limitations: Adult industry ties have deterred many institutional investors.
- Expansion Strategy: New owners could scale operations and diversify content categories.
- IPO Alternative: A private sale may be more feasible than a complex public offering.
Current Ownership & Leadership
Leonid Radvinsky, a Ukrainian-American entrepreneur, is the sole shareholder of OnlyFans. Since acquiring the company in 2018, he has received nearly $1.3 billion in dividends.
OnlyFans Regulatory Challenges
OnlyFans has faced regulatory scrutiny, including a £1 million fine from the UK’s Ofcom in March 2025 for failing to provide accurate information about its age-verification processes.
Strategic Considerations
While a sale is being considered, an initial public offering (IPO) remains a possible alternative.
The potential sale reflects OnlyFans’ significant growth and profitability, despite challenges related to its adult content and regulatory environment.
Possible Impact on Creators Due to This Sale
The potential sale of OnlyFans could have several implications for its creator community:
- Policy Changes: New ownership might implement stricter content guidelines or alter platform policies, potentially affecting the type of content creators can produce and share.
- Earnings Structure: Adjustments to the commission model or payout structures could influence creators’ income, especially if the platform seeks to align with broader investor expectations.
- Platform Stability: Transitions in ownership can lead to changes in platform stability and user experience, which may impact creators’ ability to engage with their audience effectively.
- Reputation and Stigma: Efforts to rebrand or shift the platform’s focus could affect creators who have built their audience based on the current model, leading to potential challenges in audience retention and growth.
Creators are advised to stay informed about developments and consider diversifying their content distribution channels to mitigate potential risks associated with the sale.
