Why Alisha Lehmann turned down adult site offer in 2023
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At the time, Lehmann was one of the most recognisable faces in women's football, combining her performances in the Women's Super League with a rapidly growing social media presence that attracted millions of followers worldwide.
Key takeaways
- In 2023, Lehmann was offered £83k to join an adult subscription platform.
- Her social media earnings far exceeded her football salary.
- She rejected distractions, insisting football was her top priority.
Lucrative offer from subscription platform
Lehmann, then 24, was reportedly offered a package worth just over £83,000 by subscription platform My.Club.The proposal included a signing-on fee of around £42,000, with a further £42,000 pledged as a donation to the Swiss women's top flight.
The platform's vice president, Mike Ford, publicly encouraged Lehmann to take up the offer, suggesting she could capitalise on her popularity by sharing exclusive content with fans.
It totally makes sense at this level of popularity to launch your "own club."
You can post training photos, thirst traps and personally field questions from fans and not have to deal with people sliding in your DMs 24/7.
Social media power vs Football earnings
At the time, Lehmann had amassed over 12 million followers on Instagram, making her one of the most followed footballers in the women's game.Her online influence translated into significant earnings, with reports suggesting she could earn around £245,000 per sponsored post - far exceeding her club salary, which was estimated at up to £200,000 per year during her spell at Aston Villa between 2021 and 2024.
The disparity highlighted the growing commercial power of social media in modern sport, particularly in women's football.
"I'm a proper footballer" - Lehmann's response
Despite the financial incentives, Lehmann - now at WSL club Leicester City - made it clear in interviews that her main focus remained on football.Speaking at the time in an interview with talkSPORT, she stressed that whilst she appreciated the attention and opportunities that came with her online presence, her priority was always improving as a player.
It's really nice, the support and everything, and it's also a big opportunity. I would like to show the world that women can actually do it in football.
Some people just see Instagram and social media and don't even know I actually play football.
I'm a proper footballer. I work hard every day. I want to be the best version of myself in football and that's my first priority in life.
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Shop Featured Deals (Fast Checkout)A defining moment in her public image
The 2023 episode became a defining moment in Lehmann's career narrative, underlining the balance she has had to strike between global fame and professional ambition.Whilst her popularity off the pitch continued to grow, her stance reinforced her commitment to being recognised first and foremost as a footballer - not just a social media personality.
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