Tony Hawk, the world-famous skateboarder, is much more than just a professional.
Nicknamed the 'Birdman', he has become an entrepreneur through various ventures.
And this time, he has added yet another to his portfolio: a business using non-fungible token (NFT) platform.
Through Tony Hawk, Inc., the professional-turned entrepreneur is taking his talents to the metaverse, by announcing a partnership with The Sandbox, which is an online game built on the Ethereum blockchain where players can spend cryptocurrency to buy virtual land.
With it, Hawk is creating Tony Hawk LAND, a virtual 36 parcels skatepark.
This size makes it the "largest virtual skatepark ever made," according to a press release.
The second partnership, is with Autograph, a NFT platform founded by National Football League star Tom Brady.
Hawk released his first 3D avatar collection on the platform in December.
The collection is based on Tony Hawk and his most iconic skateboards, equipment, and apparel, including what the legendary skateboarder wore during the 1999 X Games, when he landed the first ever 900, a milestone moment in the world of skateboarding.
All those cosmetics can then be turned into 3D voxel avatars "that have in-game functionality for experiences, adding utility and value for their owners." You should also be able to take them out of Tony Hawk LAND and use them in other Sandbox games.
In other words, the NFTs released by Hawk is meant to commemorate the outfit.
According to Hawk, when he announced the news:
"So I am fascinated by the metaverse, and excited to bring our culture into the virtual landscape of The Sandbox."
According to Dillon Rosenblatt, co-founder and CEO at Autograph:
"We are thrilled to be working with The Sandbox and Tony Hawk on this activation and many others."
And according to Sebastien Borget, COO and Co-Founder of The Sandbox:
"We share his passion for innovation, creativity, and the drive to constantly create something: this is the energy that powers our entertainment metaverse. There’s no better way to bring skateboarding culture to The Sandbox than by following the example of the greatest skateboarder of all time, whose legacy stretches from the sport and lifestyle’s early days to the present and beyond."
Tony Hawk is a legendary skateboarder, and later, an entrepreneur.
He became a pro skateboarder at the age of 14, and by 16 was considered the best competitive skateboarder.
He first made his world fame when on June 27, 1999, when he became the first skateboarder to land a "900."
This trick involves a full completion of two-and-a-half mid-air revolutions on a skateboard, in which Hawk was successful on his twelfth attempt.
After completing the trick, Hawk said "This is the best day of my life."
He accomplished the feat when he was 31. He was still able to do the move 17 years later, in 2016, at the age of 48.
Hawk was the World Champion for 12 years in a row, and was an inaugural member of the Skateboarding Hall of Fame.
After he retired, he continues to skate in demos and exhibitions internationally, and remains the most recognized action-sports figure in the world.
He considers skateboarding to be an art form, a lifestyle, and a sport. He also considered one of skateboarding’s most technically demanding moves – among many other achievements.
As a successful professional and entrepreneur, Hawk has also been involved in various philanthropic activities throughout his career.
The most famous, is his Tony Hawk Foundation (The Skatepark Project), which helps build skateparks in underprivileged areas around the world.
While the partnership is Hawk’s first in the blockchain gaming space, the entrepreneurial skater has more than made a name for himself in the traditional gaming industry.
His “Tony Hawk Pro Skater” series has grossed more than $1.4 billion since its debut in 1999, making it one of the most profitable video game franchises of all time.
