Under Armour Boss, Celebs at Odds Over Trump

Kevin Plank called Trump 'a real asset'
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 10, 2017 8:52 AM CST
Under Armour Boss, Celebs at Odds Over Trump
Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank speaks at MLB's winter meetings in December.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Celebrities sponsored by Under Armour are speaking out after the company's CEO praised President Trump this week, triggering #BoycottUnderArmour to trend on Twitter, per the San Jose Mercury News. In an interview with CNBC Tuesday, CEO Kevin Plank said he's "a big fan" of the "pro-business president," whom he called "a real asset to this country." As with New Balance and LL Bean, "you can bet left-wing activists are going to call for a boycott [of] Under Armour now," predicted the Daily Caller. But it's been sports celebs who have contracts with the brand who've been the subject of most headlines. Chief among them: NBA star Stephen Curry, who tells the Mercury News, "I agree with that description, if you remove the 'et' from 'asset.'"

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson adds, "These are neither my words, nor my beliefs. His words were divisive and lacking in perspective." Ballerina Misty Copeland says she also disagrees with Plank and has spoken to him about his comments. "It is important to me that he, and UA, take public action to clearly communicate and reflect our common values in order for us to … motivate ALL people to be their best selves," Copeland writes on Instagram. In a statement Wednesday, Under Armour says it engages "in policy, not politics" and supports "inclusive immigration policy," adding "our diversity is our strength." Fox News notes none of the three athletes went so far as to break ties with the company. (More Under Armour stories.)

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