OnlyFans in Talks to Sell for Up to $8 Billion, but Adult Content May Affect Valuation
The profitable online adult content platform OnlyFans is reportedly in discussions to be sold for a figure that could reach as much as $8 billion (€7 billion), according to Reuters, citing unnamed sources.
Headquartered in London, OnlyFans is primarily known for hosting adult content, though it also features creators such as musicians and comedians.
Since March, the platform has been in negotiations with the American investment firm Forest Road Company. However, as reported by the New York Post, the company is facing difficulties in securing a suitable buyer, largely due to its reputation being closely associated with pornographic material.
“They are attempting to position it as a platform similar to X (formerly Twitter), which allows adult content, but most people still see it primarily as a company focused on adult content,” a source told the newspaper.
Despite generating significant revenue, OnlyFans’ reputation has impacted its valuation. The publication estimates the company’s worth at between $1.46 billion and $2.42 billion (€1.29–€2.14 billion), based on a modest valuation of three to five times EBITDA.
Fenix International Ltd owns the platform, with Ukrainian-American businessman Leonid Radvinsky as its sole shareholder. Radvinsky acquired OnlyFans in 2018 and has received at least $1 billion in dividends over the past three years.
For the fiscal year ending November 2023, OnlyFans reported profits of $485 million (€428 million) and total revenue of $6.6 billion (€5.82 billion). The platform takes a 20% commission from its 4 million creators, who serve an audience of approximately 300 million subscribers.
Despite challenges in finding a buyer due to its adult content focus, Fenix International is also exploring the possibility of an initial public offering (IPO) to list the company’s shares on the stock exchange. Industry sources suggest that a deal could be finalized within the next week or two. The company has not publicly commented on these developments.
