Professional sponsorship is sponsorship attached to a regular salary or substantial coverage of living expenses that allows the sponsored skater to practice and compete on a full-time basis without the need to secure additional employment. Sponsored skaters will often also receive merchandise (including additional merchandise for promotional uses) and equipment (including customised "pro model" equipment for use by that individual) as well as Branded clothing and other merchandise that feature the sponsored skater's name or personal logo.
Professional skateboarders may also receive royalties for products sold by the sponsor company (or companies) that include the skater's name or logo.[6]
Professional skater Tony Hawk signed endorsement and sponsorship deals with a number of major brands worth up to US$15 million each, including deals with a number of non-skateboarding brands