The Rock Under Armour
Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank responded Wednesday to controversy sparked by his comments last week supporting President Donald Trump, clarifying his intentions in a letter to the company’s hometown, Baltimore.
Plank wrote an open letter to the city that was featured as an advertisement in The Baltimore Sun.
“In a business television interview last week, I answered a question with a choice of words that did not accurately reflect my intent,” wrote Plank. “I want to clarify for our hometown exactly the values for which Under Armour and I stand.”
“I personally believe that immigration is the foundation of our country’s exceptionalism,” the company chairman wrote. “We are always mindful of the responsibility that we have to those who choose our brand, especially the young people who represent the bold and bright future of a diverse and inclusive America.”
“In a time of division, we aspire to be a force of unity, growth and optimism for our city and our country,” Plank continued.
The corrections come after Plank had advocated for Trump’s business sense in a televised interview last week.
“I think he’s highly passionate,” Plank had told the interviewer. “To have such a pro-business president is something that’s a real asset for this country… He loves to build … He wants to make bold decisions, and he wants to be decisive. I’m a big fan of people that operate the world and publish and iterate … versus you know, think, think, think. think, think.”
Backlash to the executive’s comments swiftly followed. Top Under Amour sponsored athletes including Steph Curry, Misty Copeland, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, all expressed biting disapproval to Plank’s comments. Curry threatened to leave his agreement with Under Armour, and Copeland asked Plank to clarify his comments and the company’s views on White House policies, specifically the proposed travel ban.
It remains to be seen whether Plank’s letter to Baltimore will suffice in appeasing his critics.
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