Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Racing, Sneaker, Media Legend Ken Block Dies

  • Ken Block founded sneaker brand DC Shoes and Hoonigan Racing Division.
  • He passed away on Monday in a snowmobile accident.
Ken-Block-Hoonigan-Racing
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The sports world lost a unique figure on Monday in Ken Block, who died at age 55 in a snowmobile accident.

Block made a mark in both rally car racing and the sneaker world.

  • He co-founded DC Shoes in 1994, bringing designs inspired by athletic shoes to the skateboarding world.
  • The company was sold to Quiksilver in 2004 for a reported $88 million.
  • Block then pivoted to rally car racing, where he became a legend, winning 16 national titles from 2005 to 2014 and founding the Hoonigan Racing Division rally team in 2010.
  • He won five X-Games medals and was one of only four Americans to earn points in the World Rally Championship, a global competition run by the FIA.

Block had a net worth of around $230 million as of June 2022. 

His daughter Lia, 16, has raced with Hoonigan since she was 11, and his wife Lucy made her all-wheel-drive racing debut last March.

The Women’s Basketball Shoe Company Taking on Nike, Adidas, and UA

Why Moolah Kicks CEO Natalie White isn’t concerned with the high-profile competition.
October 24, 2022

Extreme Media

Block grew his presence in racing and extreme sports through his YouTube channels.

His “Gymkhana” series on driving performance cars in urban environments amassed more than 550 million views and inspired an Amazon docuseries.

Block’s YouTube channel has just shy of 2 million subscribers — and Hoonigan’s has more than 5 million.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 2, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams mascot Rampage (center) visits Ryan Fitzpatrick (left) and Andrew Whitworth on the Prime Thursday Night Football set at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Why Fitzpatrick and Whitworth Won’t Trade Studio for the Booth

The Prime Video analysts also weighed in on the Rams’ Week 1 loss.
asset class

Ndamukong Suh Says He Almost Invested in the Seahawks

He also “looked at” the Portland Blazers and Thorns.
Jun 24, 2024; Eugene, OR, USA; NBC Sports broadcaster Mike Tirico during the US Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Tirico Addresses Michael Jordan’s NBC Exit, Hopeful He’ll Return

Jordan served as a “special contributor” for NBC last season.

WTA Finals Moving to Charlotte in 2027 as U.S. Push Continues

The 2026 WTA Finals will be played at Indian Wells.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Ndamukong Suh & Jay Williams on the Business of Life After Sports

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.
September 4, 2026

Wild Transfer Window Shows How Premier League Towers Over Soccer

Spending in England vastly outstripped the rest of Europe.
September 3, 2026

Teams Are Spending Millions to Build Luxury Locker Rooms

It’s a recruiting pitch, a retention tool, and a seven-figure line item.
September 1, 2026

High School Football Sidelines Are Clogged With Content Creators

Administrators call these amateur newcomers the “pajama paparazzi.”
Aug 28, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) warms up against the Seattle Seahawks prior to a game at Arrowhead Stadium.

Mahomes Comeback Kicks Off ESPN ‘MNF’ Coverage

The two-time NFL MVP is completing a remarkable injury recovery.
September 12, 2026

Rybakina Wins First US Open Title, World No. 1, and $5.5M

The 27-year-old will officially become No. 1 in the world on Monday.
September 13, 2026

Myles Garrett’s Knee Surgery Adds to Rams’ Early Woes

He’ll miss at least four games on IR.
Sponsored

Drew Weatherford’s Bet on the Youth Sports Economy

Drew Weatherford discusses investing across the youth, college and professional levels.
September 11, 2026

Taylor Fritz’s Latest Ball Complaint: Retail Ones Are ‘Miserable’

Fritz was knocked out of the US Open in the third round.
September 11, 2026

US Open Ticket Prices Collapse for First Men’s Semifinal

The get-in for Zverev-Khachanov dipped below $30 Friday morning.
September 9, 2026

Late-Night Shelton-Alcaraz Thriller Raises Questions for US Open

Alcaraz and Shelton’s match ended at 3:34 a.m. ET.
September 8, 2026

Puka Nacua Remains Eligible for Rams Australia Opener

His disciplinary case is still under review.