Skateboarder Tony Hawk plays a trick as ambassador for shoe company vans.
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Stockholm – Skateboard legend Tony Hawk once turned down $500,000 in future royalties from popular video game professional skaters – he said it was the “best financial decision” of his life .
Hawk received $500,000 in a one-time purchase agreement to use his name and similarities to earn the Pro Swater title from Activision, which was released in 1999.
Speaking at the Techrena Technology Conference in Stockholm on Thursday, Hawke said when he received the proposal, “it doesn’t seem like a real number to me.”
He eventually decided to reject it, citing his success in both his personal and professional life, which made him help take risks and beat the bid.
“I have a family, I just bought a new home and I feel I can afford a mortgage. I think I’m doing a great job outside of this video game project,” Hawke said.
He added: “So I think, I have the ability to take the opportunity. So, that was the lucky time, so I refused. It was definitely the best financial decision of my life.”
Instead, Hawke negotiated a royalty arrangement under which he would receive cuts for each copy for sale.
“It’s a better deal, and that’s probably one of the reasons I’m here today,” Hawke added.
After Hawke refused the check, Activision mentioned the sequel to the game – meaning Hawke’s revenue will continue.
The license agreement between Hawk and Activision, now owned by tech giant Microsoft, lasted 16 years until 2015.
Ultimately, it pays off: the franchise of professional skaters has continued to emerge Sales exceed $1.4 billion Hawke’s career has soared since its launch.
The athlete has been skateboarding since the 1970s and was widely regarded as the best skateboarder in the world by the age of 16.
But it wasn’t until the publication of his video game. Today, his name is actually synonymous with skateboarding and the surrounding culture.
He invented many skateboarding techniques, including Madonna, rodeo, ventilation board, kick flip mctwist, 720, door opening, door opening and international telecast 900.
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