Being a professional athlete is almost every kid’s dream, with the belief that playing a sport for a living and actually getting paid lots of money to do so is the perfect life. And while doing something like basketball or football are great, when you can get paid for a more extreme and recreational sport like snowboarding or skateboarding, it’s even better. While most of us would only try these as a hobby, these athletes do it each and every day, getting paid a lot to do so, too, as they’re the richest extreme athletes on the planet.
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15. Hannah Teter – $1 million
With a gold a silver medal from the previous two Winter Olympics, snowboarder Hannah Teter is one of the most successful in the sport. Flexing her muscle in the marketing realm, too, Teter works with brands like Burton and Samsung, which love tossing money her way to use and promote their products. With a bank account showing more than $1 million, she’s a major player in the extreme sports world.
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14. Torah Bright – $1.5 million
Much like the aforementioned Hannah Teter, Torah Bright is a women’s snowboarder who pushes the limits whenever she’s on the slopes. Hailing from Australia, Torah captured gold back in Vancouver in 2010 and has a lifelong marketing deal with Rhythm Snowsports, as well as with brands like Roxy and Subway which helps her carry a net worth of $1.5 million.
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13. Travis Rice – $2 million
One of the most influential snowboarders of the past couple of decades, Travis Rice is beloved by both fans and brands, as he works with companies like Red Bull and Quiksilver. Also featured in a few documentaries about the sport, Rice has hauled in $2 million in his lifetime so far.
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12. Danny Kass – $2.5 million
A pro snowboarder who has competed in both the Olympics and various X Games, Danny Kass is best-known now as one of the stars of the TV show, “The Adventures of Danny and The Dingo.” As a co-founder of a snowboarding apparel and accessory company and a number of sponsorship deals, Kass has earned $2.5 million in his career.
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11. Paul Rodriguez – $4 million
Recently turning 30 years old, skateboarder Paul Rodriguez sure has seen a lot since he turned pro years ago. In addition to his gold medals at the X Games and reputation as one of the best in his sport, Rodriguez became on of the first athletes to have been sponsored by Nike 6.0, the action sports line that the skater has helped evolve over the past decade. With sponsors, videos and career earnings, he is worth $4 million.
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10. Laird Hamilton – $5 million
An innovator and champion in his sport, Laird Hamilton helped create some of the best moments the sport has ever seen, becoming the first surfer to complete a 360 loop while strapped into a board years ago. Working with longtime sponsors and seeing success from other ventures, Hamilton is worth $5 million.
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9. Kelly Slater – $8 million
While the aforementioned Laird Hamilton has been a legend in the surf world, the first name everyone probably thinks of first is Kelly Slater. One of the most-accomplished and inspiring surfers ever, Slater won five consecutive ASP World titles through the ’90s and 11 overall. Sponsored by various brands and appearing in numerous videos, Kelly Slater is the premier surfer on the planet and has a net worth of $8 million.
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t6. Rob Dyrdek – $15 million
Many people are most familiar with Rob Dyrdek from his numerous TV shows that have aired on MTV for the past few years. But before he was hosting comedy-filled clip shows, Dyrdek was a skateboarder who helped launch DC. WIth all that he has been able to do, he has a net worth of $15 million—not bad for a guy who, seemingly, does anything that he wants to.
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t6. Travis Pastrana – $15 million
One of the most accomplished motocross athletes on the planet, Travis Pastrana is constantly pushing the limits and trying things that few people would even imagine doing with a two-ton motorcycle. Not only has he made a killing from sponsors like Red Bull, but thanks to his traveling show, The Nitro Circus, Pastrana has upped his net worth to $15 million.
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t6. Dave Mirra – $15 million
After setting the record for the most X Games medals—which he accomplished from 1995-2009—Dave Mirra has done everything a motocross athlete could ever imagine. Also starting his own bike company and hosting MTV’s Read World/Road Rules Challenge for two seasons, Mirra has seen his empire grow tremendously, earning $15 million from his extreme sports career.
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5. Ryan Sheckler – $16 million
There was a time when skateboarder Ryan Sheckler was just the next big thing in the sport, getting early publicity at a young age before growing his empire into what it is today. With various X Games medals and notoriety as one of the most influential skateboarders, his deals with Nikon, Volcom, Red Bull and others have helped him earn $16 million.
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4. Mat Hoffman – $18 million
Known as “The Condor,” BMX rider Mat Hofman has helped put his sport on the map, becoming the premier rider to collaborate with other extreme sports and earning $18 million in his career. That income has come from things like his bike and production companies, as well as appearances in a number of films and, of course, great success from competition.
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3. Shaun White – $20 million
The most-recognized and undisputed champion in snowboarding, Shaun White has had success that many could only dream of. More than just his various gold medals in both the X Games and the Olympics, White has redefined the sport by becoming the face of companies like Nike, GoPro and Burton, while also having his own clothing line. For that reason, he’s worth $20 million.
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2. Bam Margera – $45 million
Mostly known as the bad boy from TV shows like Jackass and Viva La Bam, Bam Margera has proven to be an unstoppable force in the extreme sport world. Also performing with the aforementioned The Nitro Circus since 2009, Margera has built his personal brand into something that is remarkable, working with brands and other partners to have gained $45 million so far.
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1. Tony Hawk – $120 million
With nearly three times the net worth of the second richest extreme sports star, it’s clear that skateboarding legend Tony Hawk is on a completely different level when it comes to action sports. With a clothing line, video game, sponsors, various skate videos and other appearances he makes, Hawk is worth $120 million and counting, making his life seem like a dream come true.
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