The Birdman

Tony Hawk. Unless you’ve taken residence in Siberia - scratch that, he’s idolized there too - unless you’ve set up shop in some obscure parallel universe, you know Tony Hawk. He is THE legend of action sports. He has appeared on the screen, both big and small. He is an author, a philanthropist, a video game magnate, and a CEO which Nostradamus himself could not have foreseen.

For nearly three decades, the skateboarding iconoclast has, with talons humbly planted to terra firma, created a business model, a venue to pay it forward, and a well earned mythology that would make the low key phenom blush. We at Ee recently had an opportunity to chat with The Birdman about what comes next.

Like millions in the 80’s, I found myself drawn not to the Little League fields, but the parking lot behind it, where counter culture athletes wreaked havoc on curbsides and railings. Twenty five years later, in a posh ‘burb more akin to a polo or golfing past time, I bore witness to two youths thrashing away on four wheels. As if time stood still, I recognized the same insignia that graced my own board some six Presidential Elections ago-Tony Hawk. So how does a forty something icon maintain such consistent supremacy in a world awash with ADD and whimsical allegiances? By never sitting still. While Hawk captured the imagination of my generation as an impassioned trailblazer, he has secured his folklore through his business acumen; He is a brand unto himself, and as I came to find out, the current generations of Birdman converts exist largely due to his massively popular gaming franchise.

On the heels of the latest incarnation, Tony Hawk Shred , I wondered aloud, how can this, title eleven, separate itself from the previous ten?

“The game is played using a skateboard shaped controller, just like Tony Hawk Ride, but the controls are much more intuitive and the game play is all about going big”, Tony told me. Going big? No shock that Hawk would “Go big”, but the other titles didn’t exactly “Go small”, I pressed. “The big difference this time is that we have also included snowboarding, since the board can lend itself to multiple sports”, he explained. Tony Hawk, snowboard king? We rule nothing out.

Hawk runs a large enterprise with his apparel, clothing line, and gaming series, in addition to chairing The Tony Hawk Foundation, a charity that has thrown its hat into many rings, most recently raising $3.2 million dollars for community skate parks in areas of need. No one, Hawk included, could have predicted the opportunity that an underground “Alternative sport” has allowed, and the experience has moved him to pen the book How Did I Get Here? The Ascent of an Unlikely CEO.

“My unique business opportunities and experiences have given me a chance to pave new ground in the world of sports, entertainment and licensing…” Tony replied when I probed about his inspiration. It makes sense. A skip and a hop to the business reference section of your local book dealer lays way to a sea of stepford business clones preaching the same mantras rooted in Ivy League speak, what a refreshing sight to see a self made success story from a guy who looks like he would be game for a burrito and beer pong. In a world where entrepreneurs are younger and unpolished, and business models change with technology, the timing could not be better.

“I thought the stories were worth telling and possibly inspiring to those doing business in unchartered or unfamiliar territory,” Tony mused. “I am hoping it is educational and entertaining, even for those who don’t live in the action sports industry”. We call it a safe bet.

Shred and How Did I Get Here? Drop in October everywhere, and Stand Up For Skateparks will be hosting an action sports carnival on Oct.17 in Beverly Hills, and Nov. 6 at Wynn Las Vegas.

For inquiries or methods to donate, please visit www.standupforskateparks.org.