Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk once walked away from a $500,000 check and looking back, he says it was the smartest move he ever made.
The legendary pro skater was given the option of a one-time buyout for his name and likeness in Activision’s Pro Skater video game, which launched in 1999.
But instead of cashing in right away, he chose a different route.
Speaking at the Techarena conference in Stockholm, Hawk recalled how the offer didn’t even seem real to him at the time. “I had a family, I had just bought a new house, and I felt like I could afford the mortgage,” he said.
With his skateboarding career already in a solid place, he wasn’t desperate for the money. That confidence led him to turn down the deal and take a chance on a royalty-based agreement instead.
It didn’t take long for his gamble to pay off. Right after he passed on the flat fee, Activision mentioned plans for a sequel.
From there, the Pro Skater franchise exploded, becoming one of the most successful video game series of all time.
The licensing agreement between Hawk and Activision lasted for 16 years, and during that time, the game generated over $1.4 billion in sales.
The royalties Hawk received far outweighed the initial offer, proving that his instincts were spot on.
Hawk’s decision didn’t just boost his bank account. It made him a household name.
He had already cemented himself as one of the greatest skateboarders ever by the time the game was released, but Pro Skater launched him into mainstream fame.
His name became synonymous with skateboarding, introducing an entirely new audience to the culture and style of the scene.
Since the 1970s, Hawk has been redefining what’s possible on a skateboard. By 16, he was already recognized as one of the best, landing tricks that no one had ever seen before.
His contributions to skateboarding include innovations like the Madonna, the Kickflip McTwist, the airwalk, and, of course, the legendary 900.
But it was Pro Skater that took his recognition beyond the skateparks and into millions of homes worldwide.
Looking back, Hawk knows he made the right call. “That was absolutely the best financial decision of my life,” he said. It’s rare to see someone turn down that kind of money with such confidence, but Hawk’s choice shaped not only his future but also the impact skateboarding had on an entire generation.
What started as a risky move became a defining moment in his career, proving that sometimes, holding out for something bigger can make all the difference.