Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank: My company is in an unfair fight with Nike | TODAY

In this week’s Sunday Sitdown, Willie Geist joins Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank inside his state-of-the-art innovation factory in Baltimore. Plank talks about how he had “multiple voices” while he was developing the company, and what it’s like working with A-list athletes. He also responds to criticism he received for comments he made about President Trump’s business background.
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Community saves rare movie prop collection shop from closing | TODAY

[@AuthenticGucci]

When it comes to working out UA all day

[@sheevedaily1060]

Great job for standing up against what is wrong!

[@adam_p99]

Nike decided that they are suddenly very high end. For no reason, about 18 months ago. Check out their ridiculous prices such as sports jackets that cost more than Hugo boss . I used to love Nike but now I’m making the switch to under amour

[@99tjpro]

Adam P honestly, but im more of an adidas guy

[@flavoursome8529]

Are you referring to the Nike lab products because they use high end materials, so they charge a little extra

[@danlee3055]

but i'm okay with the higher prices if it means the quality is better, and from my experience so far, UA feels kind of like the H&M of sports apparel. no thanks.

[@jakedrake1054]

Fasial Nisar Nike uses crappy material for my daily exercise I go through Nike shirts pretty fast especially during the summer... They rip so easy and the stitching is terrible now! Last year it was way better!

[@firstlast8703]

Adam P tru

[@jackhandy3360]

Kevin seems legit and if the company stays US based and focused, I am in. I haven't bought anything Nike for decades because of the "made in" labels. Americans should be making better wages, able to afford these products and there shouldn't be anyone on the planet making luxury items and in poverty.

[@JPsqrt9]

I naturally liked UA more than Nike for apparel and this video just reaffirmed my decision to stick to the brand. Its great to hear about someone trying to help my home city of Baltimore instead of just repeating what they hear and fear on the news

[@booneboone9705]

Aged like milk 🥛🥛

[@MarloSoBalJr]

Under Armour is Baltimore. I always prefer UA over anyone, not gonna lie, Kevin Plank is building an empire in this city.

[@jinxy6976]

Md pride!

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

Wrong. There made everywhere but the United States. www.capitalgazette.com/news/ph-ac-cn-debutts-column-0212-20170210-story.html

[@callumbush1]

MarloSoBalJr shoddy quality products!

[@callumbush1]

W.A M.P Reebok are well made I've just bought some awesome Reeboks built like a tank but lightweight and were half the prize of my crappy underarmour tissue paper shoes!

[@jamesoglesby2601]

Theres a ua here in tn to

[@bowensun6901]

I've been a manufacturer for UA and Nike garments for 14 years and I can tell you that UA uses better quality material as compared to Nike.

[@daledantony6871]

Ditto, I worked for Nike before Under Armour and I can second that fact.

[@fonofilitoomata6109]

He's the reason why I love Under armour ❤️ ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Sean-ul8ny]

They need better designers and if they did, UA would be a better company

[@mistermood4164]

ikr thier shoes are ugly.

[@SleptOn]

Agreed. The smaller the UA logo the better

[@crigonalgaming1258]

depends. Some of their shoes are clean. But most of them are over the top. And they lack the Sole Technology. Charged is pushed too much, yet they shove to the side their Micro G which in my opinion, is up there with Adidas' Boost

[@ericpabon2458]

correct

[@Chilling4Shillings]

Mister Mood it's the logo that's ugly

[@BJJNGUYEN1]

Under armour is better especially for bulkier buffer people, all of Nike is too snug or small. I love how you can get their loose fit shirts or compression line. Nike is in my opinion just small or tight.

[@Bushrt01]

Compression clothes are suppose to be snug not loose fitting. Bro please don't wear loose fitting compression gear.

[@sangjeongkimcho293]

THEY'RE FOR FAT PEOPLE PROBABLY LIKE U JUDGING BY YOUR STATEMENT

[@sangjeongkimcho293]

under armour = brooks brothers (FAT PEOPLE) NIKE = BOSS

[@kingofthejungle6928]

I work this company year ago Best place I have ever work 👍🏻👍🏻

[@lotto5742]

MILLIONAIRE millionaire why you quit?

[@x4j238hl2d]

He couldn't use spell check.

[@KaluOKalu-td4vb]

@@x4j238hl2d ...lmao

[@thecurtist.harpershow5515]

Why you left?

[@binki890]

Nike , Adidas and Puma are way superior , that's why fight is "unfair" in his mind

[@sedas2593]

Come on give it a break

[@sigsauerkatana6513]

i will buy and wear U-A and NIKE shoes because both of them comfort and style

[@cacapoopoopp]

nike is better

[@novica.m]

@@cacapoopoopp much better, UA have a problem with design and quality!

[@flakeytown5561]

"This is a top secret facility" *proceeds to show it to a TV presenter surrounded by cameras*

[@slyshadow205]

I love this guy and the brand! I'll definently be ordering a pair of UA sneakers for Christmas this year!

[@shanestalder8073]

I hate it

[@daledantony6871]

@@shanestalder8073 cool, you play roblox with 6 year olds

[@rastaking757]

"This is a top secret facility" It's in baltimore

[@jasontamu2002]

Internal optimists!! Love it...u can hear it in his attitude and way he speaks. Great story.

[@NightmaresBTW]

Football Coach in HS is good friends with him apparently, in HS his story of success was very motivating.

[@XDKX101]

UA puts function over style and brand. Got a few products off them and they always deliver in quality

[@itr0863]

i agree man. my compression top and bottoms for team sports have lasted way longer than my nike pro combats. the elastic waist on the nikes is bacon and wrinkled and worn out as the UA waist band is still the same.

[@SleptOn]

They need to balance that out a bit more on their shoes. Missing out on a huge demographic of kids with their parents CC’s that don’t like the look of their shoes.

[@alicelegardy7256]

SleptOn facts. At the end of the day comfort and performance is the most important factor. But you have to consider style and look as well, in a consumer market especially with younger consumers it's more about style and in order to compete you must cater to that want. Once under armour's design team start stepping it up (already seeing positive signs with the new curry) I can really see them starting to take over the market, atleast ahead of adidas

[@Iwish4zombies]

Still have the shoes from 3 years ago. Quality is unparalleled

[@hugemosey4471]

The clothes are but I don’t wanna wear some goofy lookin shoes

[@JohnC-kc5uh]

Any smart business man would leave politics out during a interview or conversation.

[@IamDoogy]

Nah, the very people who complained about his Trump comment LOVED/worshipped the imbecile Obama. If they're free to speak their mind, we are too.

[@arcticmonke7661]

deharleyva yeah that kinda happened to nike

[@santiagocarreno5881]

Yeah, he's worth 2.2 billion more than you, so I think he's pretty smart

[@aaronrose1248]

Not Kevin O'leary or mark cuban.

[@keithhaberler4529]

Is Kevin plank not allowed to have his own opinion I mean this is a free country why all the bashing and ya know what I agree with him.

[@StarBuccaneers168]

Great interview

[@JoeCiliberto]

The guy brought manufacture back to american, to his own home town, and will build more industrial capacity. Seems like an American Hero to me. I wish I could to the same for my home town just 60 miles north of Baltimore.

[@Renwoxing13]

Canadian here signing in: Under Armour rules!

[@nelsonking]

The moment you say something positive about Trump and his policies, the media and social media trolls come at you. Liberals are so tolerant!

[@Janon48]

Nelson King adores baby need a safe space?

[@DoomCycle]

And conservatives are so smart!

[@justmcchill]

Nelson King bruh you do not have to be on the left to dislike trump lmao

[@ericpabon2458]

thats exactly what happened. i will never get involved with politics when my business takes off , even at the beginning.

[@nates9109]

You bring up concerns to the right and they just shout fake news.

[@epicragegaming2016]

ive loved under armor for over 15 years and it is now the only clothing i buy for athletics or overall comfort. and i still have and use regularly clothes ive owned for 15 years that is under armor.

[@dillon3262]

Respect

[@calvin3448]

They aren’t in an unfair fight. Their designs are just hideous.

[@myblackheart]

always have to make it political. this is american god damnit, we should all be happy and proud for this guy

[@netzah3488]

Under Armour; be brave, be very courageous; you will be a 'leader'. Respect Massive

[@phatcartoon]

This is a very good, and well made eight and a half minute Under Armour commercial. :P

[@mikebeaver1360]

This what wrong for our college athletes. They can’t do this

[@oladelano3995]

Wow!!! Love what he's doing for Baltimore

[@adaada2353]

*What he doing for Baltimore?I worked in U A warehouse in Curtis Bay Maryland and believe me it wasn't good*

[@willmcgowan1940]

I went there

[@mounirajrire1579]

Under armour thank you Mike quelle marque de trés bonne qualité ♥️♥️♥️

[@IanandTarynPodcast]

Wondering why they are in trouble (looks at Tom Brady's body) stops wondering why they are in trouble

[@rashardstallworth9240]

I believe Cam Newton is signed to this company as well

[@TheVikesfreak2]

Under Armour's quality has nose dived since it became so big. Was such awesome gear when they first started. Now it's mass produce and who cares how it turns out

[@EmpireArcade19]

11:11HomeHome

[@bean3243]

One of the biggest stars in America. Nobody knows Brady anywhere else.

[@youngnebula187]

Nike is more of a Culture

[@Piesfan35]

youngnebula187 only because of the history. Give under armour time. This dude is one smart CEO

[@MSotelo503]

Nike is not going anywhere but I do want UA to knock Adidas out the winning.

[@thecolombianmuslim1137]

Under armour is a racist good ol boys company

[@jonathonbalok7157]

MrSpliffstarz so can UA if you spend some money...

[@ericpabon2458]

correct

[@lianam7016]

Don’t like their shoes.

[@alexxxxdark08]

They should really fix the under armour logo because it fells off the first or second wash.

[@jayusn-et2231]

It's because they make lousy, overpriced products. Let's not forget that Under Armour hates America, the Constitution and the freedoms granted to America's citizens. Those are just two of the reasons why the stock has tanked by over 50% in the last year. I will "jump with joy" when they go bankrupt.

[@jaredcook7590]

Mine has never fallen off...they are the best company and not over priced like Nike....and the logo has nothing to do with the performance

[@brett19890]

Jay USN-ET2 you must have bought a chinese knock off 😂

[@Renwoxing13]

Its not the wash it is the dry, you r melting the plastic, andI am positive if you read the washing/drying instructions(which no one, inclusing me does) then we wouldnt have this problem with our logos!

[@adaada2353]

*How can you tell a cop from a drug dealer?The cop is wearing Under Amour🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣*

[@pascalhaeren4407]

my favorite brand. Just a pity that it is hard to get in the Netherlands (Europe) in stores but fortunately online, and that they do not sponsor the football champion of the Netherlands but the eternal number five

[@PJPopper02]

I love under armour. Since my first pair of shoes fRom this company, I want nothing less than underarmour. Personally I feel like nike and adidas at to overrated and don't actually inspire the athlete with all their shoes that are meant for lifestle, underarmour is the one company I found that really focuses on the athlete and not the fashion.

[@danielworley2273]

I like his thinking.

[@udayaai]

UA is like GoPro, once their competitior feels they are being threatened, they will emulate UA products and do it better. Look a GoPro... Sony, Xiaomi are making really fine action gear, plus they have greater resources, RnD. just a matter of time. The market is monopolised so badly.

[@Atombender]

No one uses GoPro cameras for casual or high-end photography, the company is an "action photography" gimmick.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Under armour hasn't made many innovations that Nike wasn't already making.

[@tilak231]

I wanna try this brand now!!

[@PeterHatch-mx7zc]

His product is good a lot better than Nike if your cheap buy Nike .if you want quality buy armor

[@PeterHatch-mx7zc]

@Ethan Hendricks you must be one of them guys never been in the army or black

[@malloryreilly9618]

That's it! Anyone who says Nike will no longer have their business, how about you send it Under Armor's way! This underdog needs to come out on top above Nike!!

[@jeffreymurray2661]

Mallory Reilly totally agree!! Been buying Under Armour for the last 3 years and wouldn’t even consider buying that cheap Nike garbage ever again!!

[@TaggsR85]

It's pathetic that plank was attacked for saying our president has a good business mind and that's good for our country. He didn't say the president is a good man or anything. Having a business minded person as president is good.

[@LaFlareRed1]

this is true like u can say whatever you want about trump but u gotta admit he knows business..

[@1870dav]

His father built the company.

[@bkbanks6258]

Having a good business mindset doesn’t mean “ yes let’s vote for trump” the president is suppose to be for the people

[@EncourageSquirt]

TaggsR85 Is it? Is it still?

[@bluemystic7501]

How many times has Trump filed for bankruptcy? 6 times. Not exactly a guru.

[@mr.camacho2548]

I didn't know he said something pro President Trump and it upset liberals. I will surely buy more Under Armour brand products now.

[@ignacioe8414]

Under Armour always!

[@chieftp]

do they actually make any of their products here, or just the prototypes?

[@lawreneph]

Those under garments started it all. When they came out everyone wanted those things. I remember Ray Lewis doing a commercial for them one year too that was dope

[@semprecantando]

I thrift shop and I find an unbelievable amount of UA clothes every time. The stuff always look new and some even still have their price tags. In fact, I find it so often I always go to thrift stores first to buy compression shirts for my son who has sensory issues and loves them. Never understood why this is so since they’re not bad quality 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@alicelegardy7256]

I like what under armour is doing. I think the main thing they should focus on tho is the design team. I heard they are seriously working on that tho, they have made a deal with Asap Rocky to help design and market a line for them. If you know him you know he's one of the most stylish artist in music so this is a huge move for UA and will help shift them in the future. I also think they should try doing callabs with other high profile streetwear brands like bape, patte, carhart and brands alike to better cater to younger consumers

[@patrickmiller1674]

Marc The Robot they need a new logo first.

[@muatoatoomata8790]

Under armour is my favorite brand

[@rodgertrout7959]

They should make more of their clothes in America!

[@dandemsky7157]

This guy is great

[@mikewellington2738]

I love Nike but Under Armour has good stuff. I think if they develop their shoe line they may be able to close some of the gap with Nike.

[@mjvcaiisme2010]

His story sounds like a modern day Phil Knight.

[@stevemolloy2747]

Under Armour need a unique feature on their shoes

[@landendelormier7954]

Only thing under armour is superior to all other companies is their compression gear

[@voetbal12]

Good for him for getting the money from that movie, but could have easily have back fired. They could have gone with other gear and UA's big break doesn't happen.

[@Atombender]

Under Armour has a European factory but no one buys UA products here.

[@Ryan-jx4vh]

Competition is good for the market. I hope he continues to do well.

[@tristanclaxton9329]

I'm a jiu jitsu practitioner Show band I love under armor I wear a At least one piece of gear A-day

[@Zach-qo7mz]

UA has all the GOATS

[@weszillich2880]

Not tiger Woods :/

[@sedas2593]

I think his right about Nike, Big companys do what Big companys do

[@012valentino]

Under armor = no clout

[@ZarrarholdingspvtltdAtherShah]

no one ever expected, any one to replace nike and addidas as first and second, how ever under armour made it. its slightly more affordable then the two, and the name has a so real impact, ive shifted all my gear to UA, there has been a wild praise for this brand, how ever when it comes to running shoes i still lay with nike, nothing replaces nike. but i heard ua hovers are realy comfy and a game changer

[@rodmis1]

I like how UA has military gear

[@RonaldReaganRocks1]

Keep it real..........it is all about the "flash" and what looks cool. Football players (UA's bread and butter) wear it because it looks cool, and the word "armor" doesn't hurt either. It has a coolness to it. Play that card and don't stray from it.

[@rashardstallworth9240]

TKL and The Small Shop are growing as well

[@michaelmaloney7309]

UA is better and cheaper fact

[@sibinalexmullappally00]

Sibin Alex Mullappally👑🇮🇳❤️

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Cool

[@learnteach2learn729]

Lonzo should have signed with under armor

[@hk4lyfe59]

Their logo just doesn't look good on shoes. Looks sick on shirts, and hoodies. Just not on shoes. They need a design that actually looks cool on shoes, like the Nike swoosh or the Adidas stripes.

[@raykhan7836]

Combined with public funds wonder where the profits will go

[@geraldos9094]

Whoever makes the best products is going to win...wrong. Nike is a culture. Culture is generational.

[@TheSpiritWalk]

In my experience, UA gives you nothing in performance over the much lesser. Now some pay for labels, fine.. I pay for performance, and some labels actually preform much better.

[@Mr123awesomecoolio]

The Sunday today logo is incredibly annoying

[@jonathanrodriguez7701]

I Hope Under Armour Will be The Future Athletic Brand in the world.

[@charlesgiraffe8138]

He complimented the president that he had a good business mind. Doesn’t mean he’s a good person. There’s a difference

[@boscribner7287]

tbh i didnt know brady was signed to underarmour

[@fabiobarile2852]

The problem is that the price from UA is way to high for the quality you get. I would never pay more than 30€ for a hoodie from that quality and they want 55€. For that price i look up for sales and get me some Armani!

[@tlahuicolebarrraz7772]

Fabio Barile but Armani is low quality as well 🤔

[@finnellwilliam]

There hoodie quality is great

[@user-kd2ez2mb3c]

Al MLG you’re just like the typical average person who doesn’t understand retail marketing. Armani is a complete ripoff at their price point and is a label for wankers who have no investment sense in their decisions. Simply branding that screams “look I’m cool” but is actually a beta male

[@MayhemOnTheBeat]

✅

[@grantwagner684]

The only shoes I like are the project rocks but they sell out right away.

[@terenterenteren8301]

Brady can't push that guy out of the circle? WTF?

[@TheLatinfruit]

Nike is 1999 , under armour is 2019

[@f4ramadhana435]

Adidas!!!

[@josephmegrino5149]

Now is the time to signed up KAI SOTTO ( full Filipino) JALEN GREEN( half Filipino). Both are in NBA G League. Signing them both, you have a captive customer, the whole Filipino nation or even Asia. They will also play at FIBA sanctioned games, both are members of the Filipino men's basketball team.

[@tubesockets120v]

Coolest CEO I've ever heard.

[@cherylcooper2838]

Nike might be going down now that they support Kappernick.

[@Bubbles99718]

He supports rump. brady supports rump. F em. rump is outside of "politics".

[@pilot4807]

I’m not a fan of Trump personally, but it’s kinda sad that a public figure can’t even say something positive about his president nowadays without getting criticized for that.

[@Numantino312]

nike has become the soviet union of sneakers. everybody has nike everywhere. myself, as an 80s kid, loved them to death, but have tired of seeing the swoosh everywhere. for the past ten years, have instead bought asics, DCs, etnies, sauconys, adidas just to have something different. not yet on UAs just cos i'm not a football person, tho i wish them -and baltimore well. keep going Mr Plank!

[@Wearybilal]

Imagine wearing DC and Saucony LMAOOO

[@jackkanovysac4998]

i watched The Wire...nobody who isn't connected to drug money bothers to touch b'more's harbors