Tony Hawk, the name synonymous with skateboarding, boasts an impressive net worth of $140 million. This figure solidifies his position not only as the most accomplished professional skateboarder but also as a savvy entrepreneur. While endorsements, competition winnings, and appearances contributed significantly to his earnings, the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video game franchise truly catapulted him to financial stardom, generating billions of dollars worldwide. Even as a teen, Hawk was earning over $100,000 per year, a sum exceeding his teachers’ salaries and enabling him to purchase a home for his family during his senior year of high school.
Early Days: From Hyperactive Kid to Skateboarding Prodigy
Born Anthony Frank Hawk on May 12, 1968, in San Diego, California, Tony’s journey began with a used skateboard gifted by his brother at the age of eight. His parents encouraged skateboarding, recognizing it as an outlet for his boundless energy. The “hyperactive” and “gifted” Hawk quickly demonstrated a natural talent for the sport, securing his first sponsorship from Dogtown Skateboards at age 12 and turning professional at the remarkably young age of 14.
Image alt: A young Tony Hawk showcasing his skills on a skateboard, highlighting his early talent and passion for the sport.
A Career of Innovation and Domination
At 14, Hawk joined the Powell Peralta professional team, gaining prominence in the popular Bones Brigade videos. While recognized as a top street skater, he solidified his “vert” (vertical) skating skills throughout the 80s and 90s. By 16, he was already considered among the world’s best skateboarders.
Hawk dominated skateboarding competitions, holding the National Skateboard Association world champion title for an astounding 12 consecutive years and winning over 70 competitions. He also pioneered numerous signature moves now integral to the sport, including the gymnast plant, ollie-to-Indy, Saran wrap, and frontside 540-rodeo flip.
Hawk’s rise coincided with skateboarding’s growing popularity. He toured the globe, competing and performing skating demonstrations to promote the sport. However, the early 90s saw a decline in skateboarding’s popularity, leading to challenging times.
The creation of the Extreme Games (later X Games) in 1995 revitalized interest in skateboarding. Tony excelled at the X Games, earning 10 Gold, three Silver, and two Bronze medals.
During the summer of 1999 at the X Games, Hawk achieved his most celebrated accomplishment: becoming the first skateboarder to successfully land a 900, a full 900-degree rotation in the air. After 11 attempts, he finally landed it, exclaiming, “This is the best day of my life.” Over a decade later, Tony continued to land his signature trick, inspiring both skateboarders and non-skateboarders alike.
After completing the 900, Hawk retired from competitive skating but remained actively involved in the skateboarding community. In 2009, he became the first person officially authorized to skateboard on White House grounds, invited by then-President Barack Obama for a Father’s Day celebration. That same year, he was inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame in its inaugural ceremony. “Transworld Skateboarding Magazine” ranked Hawk as the second most influential skateboarder globally, behind Mark Gonzales, in December 2011.
In July 2021, Tony briefly returned to competitive skating, participating in the X Games’ Vert Best Trick event and finishing fourth out of nine participants.
Image alt: Tony Hawk in action, executing a dynamic skateboarding trick, capturing his skill and enduring passion for the sport.
Endorsements, Appearances, and the Tony Hawk Empire
Tony’s impressive net worth is a testament to the numerous products bearing his name. Even during skateboarding’s less popular periods, Hawk maintained success by founding Birdhouse, a skateboarding company producing boards and accessories, and Blitz, a distribution company for skateboarding products. Hawk Clothing, launched in 1998, developed skateboarding apparel for children.
A pivotal moment came in 1998 when Hawk partnered with Activision to create the “Tony Hawk Pro Skater” video game series. The franchise spawned 18 titles and achieved immense popularity. To date, the series has generated over $1.4 billion, establishing it as one of the most successful video game franchises ever.
In 2002, Tony launched “Boom Boom HuckJam,” a traveling sports show combining live music and action sports performances featuring vert skaters and BMX riders.
Hawk has also made numerous appearances in movies and TV series, including “XXX,” the “Jackass” franchise, “The Simpsons,” “The Masked Singer,” “Sharknado 5: Global Swarming,” and Nickelodeon’s “The Really Loud House.”
Strategic Investments
Tony has invested in over a dozen ventures, including Birdhouse Skateboards, Hawk Clothing, and his production company, 900 Films. Birdhouse remains one of the most prominent skateboard companies worldwide.
Notably, he was an early investor in Blue Bottle Coffee, which Nestle acquired in 2017 for $500 million.
Philanthropic Efforts
Hawk is dedicated to giving back and expanding skateboarding opportunities. In 2002, he established the Tony Hawk Foundation (later renamed The Skatepark Project in 2020) to address the shortage of safe and legal skateparks in the United States. The foundation has awarded over $5.8 million, contributing to more than 596 skatepark projects across the country.
The foundation received the Robert Wood Johnson Sports Award in 2015, recognizing its innovative and impactful approach to using sports to benefit local communities.
Hawk also co-founded Athletes for Hope, aiming to inspire athletes to volunteer and support community programs that drive positive change.
In 2023, Tony auctioned a signed photograph of himself and Rick Thorne, donating 50% of the proceeds to the Tyre Nichols Memorial Fund. He plans to build a skatepark in Nichols’ memory.
Personal Life
Hawk married Cindy Dunbar in April 1990, and they had a son, Riley Hawk, in 1992, who followed in his father’s footsteps as a professional skateboarder. Hawk and Dunbar divorced in 1994. He was married to Erin Lee from 1996 to 2004, with whom he had two sons, Spencer and Keegan. From 2006 to 2011, he was married to Lhotse Merriam, and they had a daughter, Kadence Clover Hawk. Tony married Cathy Goodman on June 27, 2015, in Ireland. Hawk and his family reside in Encinitas, California.
In August 2016, Tony purchased a century-old house in Detroit, his wife Cathy’s hometown. The building, originally a single-family home, had been used as a hospital and later converted into apartments.
Tony Hawk’s journey from a hyperactive child to a skateboarding icon and successful entrepreneur showcases his talent, dedication, and business acumen. His $140 million net worth is a testament to his enduring impact on the world of skateboarding and beyond.
