Tony Hawk, the renowned American skateboard icon, shared a compelling financial story tied to the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater franchise. He disclosed that he earned at least 4 million dollars from his involvement with the series, after turning down an upfront fee of 0.5 million dollars before the first game released. The revelation came during a discussion on The Diary of a CEO podcast on YouTube.
As the game approached its launch, the development team anticipated significant public interest. Hawk explained that they believed the project had strong potential, and the overall quality sparked a high level of curiosity. In a move that showcased shrewd business judgment, they proposed Hawk a share of future royalties just before the game hit the market.
Hawk noted that this exchange occurred around the launch window of Activision’s Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater in 1999. He mentioned that he had never received a half-million-dollar upfront check in his career, which made the offered royalties an appealing and unconventional risk. He recalled weighing the options carefully at that time.
Ultimately, Hawk chose a percentage of game sales over a one-time payment. He explained that his finances at the time were stable enough to consider such a bet, thanks to ventures outside skateboarding, including his own skateboard brand and other recreational activities. The decision paid off as the franchise grew in popularity and sales surpassed the billion-dollar mark.
Today, Hawk continues to earn from the ongoing success of the series in the form of royalty payments. While he did not share a precise current figure, he did state that a four-million-dollar check arrived in 2018, underscoring the enduring impact of that royalties-based agreement.
Remakes and enhanced editions of the early entries, such as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2, have kept the franchise in the public eye. These revisions introduced Hawk to a new generation of players while preserving the foundational appeal that defined the original titles. The enduring relevance of the games is reflected in continued discussions about the series and its influence in both sports and gaming culture. Cited: The Diary of a CEO interview and industry retrospectives.