Under Armour's CEO seems to be a fan of Donald Trump. Kevin Plank, a member of the administration's American Manufacturing Council, publicly praised the President by saying that Trump is a "real asset of the country." Some of the company's top endorsers clearly don't feel the same.
Curry Agrees With Plank's Comment, 'If You Remove The 'ET' From Asset'
NBA superstar Stephen Curry, Under Armour's top sneaker pitchman, said that he agrees with Plank's description of Trump, "if you remove the et'" from the asset. According to Rolling Stone, Curry has a shoe endorsement deal with Under Armour until 2024, but he hinted that he doesn't have a problem leaving the company due to their association with Trump.
Ballerina Misty Copeland also weighed in on the issue saying that it is important for Under Armour to take public action to clearly communicate and reflect common values to effectively continue working towards a shared goal. Copeland, the first African-American principal dancer of the American Ballet Theater, wrote on Instagram that while she appreciates Under Armour's platform to represent her community, she strongly disagrees with Plank's recent comments.
A Company Is Not Defined By Its CEO, The Rock Said
Meanwhile, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who has a signature collection with the company, said that Plank's words are divisive and lacking in perspective. He also said that a good company is not defined by its CEO, not by endorsers or partners, or by any single person. The Rock added that he partners with brands he trusts and who shares his values, but that does not mean that he always agrees with the opinion of everyone who works there.
The White House declined to comment on their statements, Bloomberg said. In a released statement, Under Armour said that it engages in "policy, not politics," and that they have engaged with the previous and current administration in advocating business issues that they believe is for the best interest of their consumers, teammates, and shareholders.
