Net Worth Ranker
What Is Tony Hawk’s Net Worth?
Tony Hawk, a celebrated American professional skateboarder and entrepreneur, has accumulated a substantial net worth estimated at $140 million. This figure positions him as the most financially successful and decorated skateboarder in the history of the sport. His wealth stems from a multifaceted career, including earnings from endorsements, competition prizes, public appearances, and, significantly, his highly lucrative video game franchise. The “Tony Hawk Pro Skater” series has generated over $1.4 billion in revenue worldwide, solidifying his financial standing. Hawk’s financial success started early; even as a teenage skateboarding prodigy, he earned over $100,000 annually through sponsorships and competition winnings.
Early Career and Endorsements
Born Anthony Frank Hawk on May 12, 1968, in San Diego, California, Tony Hawk was introduced to skateboarding at the age of eight by his brother. His parents supported his passion, which provided an outlet for his energy. Recognizing his talent, Dogtown Skateboards became his first sponsor at age 12. By 14, he turned professional. Even as a high school student, Hawk’s income surpassed that of his teachers, allowing him to purchase a house for his family during his senior year. At 14, Hawk joined the Powell Peralta professional team and featured in the influential Bones Brigade videos. He was always seen as a premier street skater, but throughout the 1980s and 1990s, it was important for him to prove his skills as a vert skater. By age 16, he was recognized as one of the world’s top skateboarders. Hawk dominated skateboarding competitions, holding the National Skateboard Association world champion title for 12 consecutive years and winning over 70 competitions. He also innovated several now-standard skateboarding maneuvers, including the gymnast plant, ollie-to-Indy, Saran wrap, and frontside 540-rodeo flip.
Hawk’s rise to prominence coincided with skateboarding’s increasing popularity. He traveled extensively, participating in competitions and demonstrations to promote the sport. Although skateboarding interest waned in the early 1990s, the creation of the Extreme Games (later X Games) in 1995 reignited interest. Tony Hawk has won 10 gold, three silver, and two bronze medals at the X Games. During the summer X Games in 1999, Hawk successfully landed a 900, a move involving a 900-degree rotation in the air on a skateboard, on his 11th attempt. Over a decade later, he replicated the trick, inspiring many both within and outside skateboarding. After completing the trick, Hawk retired from competitive skating, but he has remained an active presence. In 2009, he received permission to skateboard on the White House grounds during a Father’s Day celebration hosted by then-President Barack Obama. That same year, he was inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame’s inaugural ceremony. In December 2011, “Transworld Skateboarding Magazine” ranked Hawk as the second most influential skateboarder globally, behind Mark Gonzales. Hawk briefly came out of retirement in July 2021 to compete in the X Games’ Vert Best Trick event, finishing fourth out of nine competitors.
Business Ventures and Investments
Hawk’s financial success is attributable to various business ventures and endorsements. He founded Birdhouse, a skateboarding company that produces boards and accessories, as well as Blitz, a distribution company for skateboarding products. In 1998, he launched Hawk Clothing, which creates skateboarding apparel for children. That same year, Hawk entered into a partnership with Activision to develop the “Tony Hawk Pro Skater” video game series. The series has released 18 titles to date, achieving immense popularity. Since its launch, the series has made more than $1.4 billion, establishing it as one of the most successful video game franchises in history. In 2002, Hawk created “Boom Boom HuckJam,” a touring sports show that combined live music performances with skateboarding and BMX stunts. The tour featured established musical acts alongside emerging vert skaters and BMX riders. Tony Hawk has made appearances in several movies and TV shows, including “XXX,” the “Jackass” movie franchise, “The Simpsons,” “The Masked Singer,” “Sharknado 5: Global Swarming,” and Nickelodeon’s “The Really Loud House.” As an investor, Tony Hawk has interests in over a dozen ventures, including Birdhouse Skateboards, Hawk Clothing, and 900 Films, a production company. Birdhouse remains one of the most popular skateboard companies worldwide. He was also an early investor in Blue Bottle Coffee, which Nestlé acquired in 2017 for $500 million.
Philanthropic Activities
Hawk established the Tony Hawk Foundation in 2002 to promote the construction of safe and legal skateparks. The organization, later renamed The Skatepark Project in 2020, has awarded over $5.8 million to more than 596 skatepark projects across the United States. In 2015, the foundation received the Robert Wood Johnson Sports Award in recognition of its efforts to use sports to benefit communities. Hawk also co-founded Athletes for Hope, an organization that encourages athletes to engage in community service. In 2023, Tony auctioned a signed photograph of himself and Rick Thorne, donating 50% of the proceeds to the Tyre Nichols Memorial Fund. He is planning to build a skatepark in Nichols’ honor.
Personal Life
Tony Hawk and Cindy Dunbar, his high school sweetheart, married in April 1990. Their son, Riley Hawk, born in 1992, followed in his father’s footsteps as a skateboarder and is sponsored by Lakai Limited Footwear and Baker Skateboards. Hawk and Dunbar divorced in 1994. Tony married Erin Lee in 1996; they divorced in 2004. They have two sons, Spencer (born in 1999) and Keegan (born in 2001). Hawk was married to Lhotse Merriam from 2006 to 2011. Their daughter, Kadence Clover Hawk, was born in 2008. 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, is originally from Detroit. The building was once a single-family home before it was used as a hospital and then converted into apartments.
