Under Armour CEO Backs Off on Trump Praise

Kevin Plank clarifies that his company opposes travel ban
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Feb 15, 2017 4:14 PM CST
Under Armour CEO Backs Off on Trump Praise
In this Dec. 5, 2016, file photo, Under Armour Chief Executive Officer and founder Kevin Plank speaks on stage during an Under Armour announcement event at Major League Baseball's winter meetings in Oxon Hill, Md.   (Alex Brandon)

The CEO of Baltimore-based sports apparel company Under Armour responded Wednesday to criticism he received after calling President Trump "an asset to the country." In an open letter to Baltimore published as a full-page advertisement in the Baltimore Sun, Kevin Plank wrote that he wanted to clarify what values he and his company stand for. "In a business television interview last week, I answered a question with a choice of words that did not accurately reflect my intent," he wrote referring to an interview on CNBC on Feb. 7. The company stands for equal rights and job creation and believes "immigration is a source of strength, diversity, and innovation for global companies based in America," Plank wrote, per the AP. Also, the company opposes the president's travel ban.

"With an anticipated new executive order on immigration set to come out, we will join a coalition of companies in opposition to any new actions that negatively impact our team, their families, or our community," he said. Three celebrities the company sponsors—NBA star Stephen Curry, actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and ballerina Misty Copeland—were among those voicing concerns about his praise of Trump. Johnson sent out a statement on social media last Thursday saying Plank's words "were divisive and lacking in perspective." Copeland wrote in an Instagram post she was so concerned about Plank's comments that she spoke to him directly. (More Under Armour stories.)

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