FROM $500 A MONTH TO FIVE FIGURES: TYSHAWN JONES RECALLS CHANGING HOW SUPREME PAID SKATERS

Tyshawn Jones has opened up about a pivotal moment early in his career — becoming the first skateboarder to receive a salary from Supreme.

According to Jones, when he first approached the New York skate label about compensation, the brand initially made it clear that paying skaters wasn’t part of their model. At the time, Supreme had built its reputation around authenticity within skate culture rather than traditional endorsement deals.

Jones said he raised the question after another brand expressed interest in signing him, prompting him to ask Supreme directly whether they paid riders on their team. The answer was initially no. Shortly after that conversation, however, Supreme reconsidered and offered Jones $500 per month, marking the first time the brand agreed to pay a skater.

The modest amount sparked concern at home. Jones recalled his mother questioning the deal after researching the company online, feeling the compensation didn’t reflect the brand’s success.

Over time, Jones’ relationship with Supreme evolved alongside his rise in skateboarding. By 2025, he revealed he was earning $83,000 per month connected to wearing and representing the brand — a dramatic shift from the original $500 arrangement.

The story highlights how Jones helped reshape compensation within skateboarding, particularly with brands like Supreme that historically relied on cultural alignment rather than traditional athlete contracts.