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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – MARCH 24: Laureus Academy Member Tony Hawk signs autographs as he visits an urban skateboard park ahead of the Laureus World Sports Awards at Kiara Skate Park on March 24, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Laureus)

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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – MARCH 24: Laureus Academy Member Tony Hawk signs autographs as he visits an urban skateboard park ahead of the Laureus World Sports Awards at Kiara Skate Park on March 24, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Laureus)
Tony Hawk is one of the most iconic skateboarders in the game, ever. The 53-year-old is almost synonymous with skateboarding all over the world.?At only 14 years old, Hawk was already a professional skateboarder. Hawk received his first skateboard at age 8. He was named the top vert skater every single year from 1984 to 1996.
In his seventeen-year-long career, he won Gold medals at the 1995 and 1997 X games and won over 70 competitions. Hawk co-founded a skateboarding company known as Birdhouse in 1992. And even though Tony Hawk retired in 2003, his brand’s name still keeps his legacy alive.
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In 1999, Hawk developed a video game called Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. This proved a breakthrough for him, as the video game sold worldwide, generating a revenue of $1 billion. Hawk has recently revealed the name of his biggest inspiration, who paved the way for his success.
Michael Jordan paved the way for Tony Hawk’s success
Tony Hawk is currently a successful businessman, with his video game still very popular worldwide. Even his son Riley, from his first wife, Cindy Dunbar, is a professional skateboarder. Tony recently revealed who the biggest inspiration leading to his success was.

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19 Aug 2001: Tony Hawk in action during the men’s skateboard vert doubles at the 2001 X-Games at First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hawk and his partner Andy McDonald won the competition . DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit : Ezra Shaw/Allsport
Tony Hawk has said that Michael Jordan, the all-time famous NBA player, is his biggest inspiration. Hawk believes that Jordan has really set the standard when it comes to both performance and business. Michael Jordan himself is considered the GOAT of basketball. He’s also the owner of NASCAR team, 23XI along with numerous other ventures.
“The biggest inspiration for being an athlete and being a successful businessman is Michael Jordan. I mean he is the standard by which all others are measured. I wasn’t trying to emulate him, but for sure, he showed he paved the way,” said Hawk.How skating helped in Hawk’s business venture
Tony Hawk also revealed how skating itself has an influence on his business. He explained how skating really gave him the confidence to take risks and approach things differently. He isn’t afraid to fall.

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 03: American skateboarder Tony Hawk performs at the Sydney 500 Grand Finale on the Sydney Olympic Park Street Circuit on December 3, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Further, he also added how in business there are so many risks, same as skating. You might succeed or fail, but the main thing is to get back right up and keep trying.
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?I Was a Brand?- Tony Hawk Reveals How He Made Skateboarding a Huge BusinessADVERTISEMENT
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