Under Armour’s revenues passed the 1 billion dollar mark in 2010. His company is the second largest sportswear vendor in the whole of America, picking up sales of around 3.8 billion USD this year. [54], According to the Federal Election Commission, Plank has donated to both major U.S. political parties and to individuals of both parties. [14], The idea that led to Under Armour was sparked while playing for the Maryland Terrapins, Plank said he was the "sweatiest guy on the football field". [9][10] He was not recruited by the top-tier collegiate football programs. [3] He continued to use the "Cupid" name when he later launched his Cupid's Cup competition. Kevin Plank is an eminent American entrepreneur, founder & CEO of famous sports apparel brand Under Armour. Plank has recently purchased fitness, health & calorie counting apps and has this goal to come up with the best online health platform in the world – that would rival Apple, Google, Fitbit & Jawbone. Thus, he began his quest for a compatible material which would wick off sweat from the body & make the player feel lighter & faster. [12], His roommate at Maryland was football player and professional wrestler Darren Drozdov. He attended the University of Maryland, College Park and graduated in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in hand. With that preamble, let’s talk about Kevin Plank, the self-made billionaire and founder of Under Armour. At the National Retail Federation conference in New York, Under Armour founder and former CEO Kevin Plank spoke with Rod Sides, vice chairman and U.S. leader of … In the ad, Plank said Under Armour stood for job creation, but publicly opposed the president's proposed travel ban. [37] The building was originally built in 1914 to store port cargo and later served as a community center and studio for the television series Homicide: Life on the Street; it closed in 1999. [57] Johnson called Plank's words "divisive". [38][39], Plank also founded the whiskey distillery Sagamore Spirit in 2013. [61], "Kevin Plank donates $1 million to Baltimore Catholic schools", "How Kevin Plank turned a single idea into a global brand", "2003 Businessperson of the year: The man behind the 'armour, "Under Armour founder gives $16 million to St. John's College High", "How the founder of Under Armour went from getting kicked out of high school to running a $22 billion company", "From rags to microfiber: inside the rapid rise of Under Armour", "WWE's Darren Drozdov thrives 15 years after being paralyzed during match", "Five finalists chosen for Kevin Plank's Cupid's Cup competition", "Taking on the giants: How Under Armour founder Kevin Plank is going head-to-head with the industry's biggest players", "Kevin Plank is betting almost $1 billion that Under Armour can beat Nike", "20 things you didn't know about Under Armour", "Under Armour founder breaks into billionaires club", "Under Armour acquires weight loss app, MyFitnessPal, for $475 million dollars", "Under Armour Buys Apps in Bid to Become Top Fitness Tracker", "Kevin Plank Is Betting Almost $1 Billion That Under Armour Can Beat Nike", "Under Armour exits yet another school sponsorship deal as part of big shrink". [3] They have two children,[3] and live in Lutherville, Maryland. [29], Plank bought the 630-acre historic Sagamore Farm in Baltimore County, Maryland, in 2007. [23] A few years later, some of these acquisitions would be divested by the next CEO. He was the sweatiest person on the soccer field & he was desperately looking for an alternative that would keep him comfortable and dry while playing- which was not being possible with his usual sweat-soaked cotton shirts. He will … Synopsis. 21 on 50 Most Influential People in Sports Business by, No. It’s an idea, it’s a theory, it’s a … From product launches and ground-breaking campaigns to key partnerships and big bets that propelled the Brand forward, these are the moments that made us who we are. Plank is the founder and executive chairman of Under Armour, a manufacturer of sportswear, footwear and accessories, based in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended Georgetown Preparatory School, Fork Union Military Academy, St. John’s College High School & University of Maryland. The story begins with Kevin Plank, Under Armour's founder and CEO. He also requested his friends to pass on his t shirt to the other players and this was how Plank’s t shirts gradually started garnering popularity. Then, he asked his erstwhile teammates to check out his formula. Patrik Frisk, Under Armour’s current President … Kevin Plank's unremarkable career as a college football player hardly ranks him with the greats of the gridiron. The name stuck. But Under Armour, a bright idea hatched during … During his university days, he came up with several small businesses and used the funding to capitalize his flagship sportswear project later on. [16] One day, his brother asked him, "How's that company you're working on … Under Armor?" Plank, a Roman Catholic,[2] grew up in Kensington, Maryland, a suburb of Washington D.C., the youngest of five brothers born to William and Jayne (née Harper) Plank. [51], In November 2014, Plank pledged $25 million to the University of Maryland to be used for the proposed athletics and academic complex. [24], As CEO, Plank oversaw a company that generated US$5 billion in annual revenue and employed about 15,800 people as of December 31, 2017. [9], Plank originally sought to call his new sportswear company Heart, but he could not trademark it. He explained to them that his T-shirt would help them to improve their performance largely on the football field. [15] After graduating from Maryland, Plank searched for synthetic materials that would keep athletes dry. [53] Plank donated $1 million to the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 2016 to help 100 more children go to Catholic school. [18] In 1996, Plank finished his first year selling shirts with $17,000 in sales. [30] The property was once owned by Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt. Interestingly, the idea of Under Armour emerged out of need  for Plank. Kevin Plank, the sportswear company’s founder, sold the Georgetown pied-a-terre after lowering the price from $29.5 million. On Tuesday, his company announced he’ll be stepping down as CEO. [35], Beginning in 2013,[36] Plank's real estate firm, Sagamore Development, was leading a $5.5-billion mixed-use development project in Baltimore's Port Covington area. 23 on 50 Most Influential People in Sports by, No. [32] Plank has said he seeks to restore the farm and rejuvenate Maryland's horse racing tradition by raising a Triple Crown winning horse. [45], Plank is also active within the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., communities, as a member of the Greater Baltimore Committee[46] and Greater Washington Partnership. [19] The ad resulted in $1 million in direct sales for the following year, and athletes and teams began buying the product. He was listed at #3 on the Forbes’ lists of “Annual 40 under 40” & “America’s 20 Most Powerful CEOs 40 and Under. The breakthrough for Plank & Under Armour came in the year 1999 when a $25,000 ad in ESPN The Magazine amassed as much as 1million USD sales for the next year & teams & athletes started showing increasing interest in his product. Reflects change since 5 PM ET of prior trading day Under Armour founder Kevin Plank built a popular sportswear brand as the underdog competitor to Nike. As some customers vowed to boycott the brand, three major endorsers—Stephen Curry, ballerina Misty Copeland, and actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson—went on Twitter to express their opposition. [56] Plank's comments drew criticism on social media. Kevin Plank. [15] Plank's company reached $1 billion annual revenue for the first time in 2010, and Plank became a billionaire in 2011, when his net worth was estimated at $1.05 billion. "It was important," Plank said, "that this not just be my decision. Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank had a close relationship with MSNBC anchor Stephanie Ruhle — and solicited her business advice over that of his own management team, according to a report. Kevin Plank Overview; More Kevin Plank Pages; Rushing & Receiving * indicates bowl stats included; Rushing & Receiving Table; Rushing Receiving Scrimmage; Year School Conf Class Pos … [12] As of February 2018, Forbes estimated his net worth at US$1.8 billion. 4 on America's 20 Most Powerful CEOs 40 and Under, This page was last edited on 14 January 2021, at 21:00. [47] He is also a member of the Board of Trustees for Living Classrooms, a Baltimore-Washington based non-profit organization dedicated to the hands-on education of young people using urban, natural and maritime environments as “living classrooms". [50] He is also responsible for the development of the Cupid's Cup business competition. [43], Plank donated $1 million through The Cupid Foundation to the Baltimore-based CollegeBound in 2016. [3][6] He left the prestigious Georgetown Preparatory School, a Catholic school, due to poor academic performance and behavioral issues,[7][8] then went on to graduate from another Catholic school, St. John's College High School, in 1990. [16], Plank initially ran the business from his grandmother's townhouse in Georgetown. Under Armour’s first TV ad came up in 2003 and led to the rise of shorthand “we must protect this house” for Under Armour. [5], A turning point for him came late in 1999, when Plank used nearly all of Under Armour's money, and employees agreed to go without pay for a few weeks, so the company could take out a $25,000 advertisement in ESPN The Magazine. Under Armour chief executive Kevin Plank — who got rocked last year by reports that he had presided over a frat-house culture at the athletic wear giant — will step down from the role next year. [5] Plank tried several prototypes before deciding on the one he wanted to use. School: Maryland. [25][26], Plank announced his departure as CEO, in October 2019, and was succeeded, on January 1, 2020 by Under Armour COO Patrik Frisk. [37] The company had acquired approximately 235 acres in the area[36] and planned to build a mix of offices, residential areas, retail space, parks, boat launches and more. The most important highlight of Plank’s career was surely the 1999 $25,000 ad in ESPN The Magazine that made his product a must-have for players & teams, amassing 1million USD direct sales. Under Armour founder Kevin Plank announced a $16 million gift to his alma mater, St. John’s College High School, Friday night at a gala for alumni of … [11] Under Armour's first shirt was the #0037, which Plank sold from his car. [12], Before living in Lutherville, he lived in the Georgetown section of Washington, DC. Plank spent hours in one-on-one conversations to try and persuade those employees. [52] The project has converted Cole Field House, the school's former basketball arena, into the football facility, a sports medicine center and student entrepreneurship lab. [16] Plank said he chose the British spelling "armour" because he "thought the phone number 888-4ARMOUR was much more compelling than 888-44ARMOR". 18 years later, Under Armour reports 3 Billion dollars in revenue, and continues to change the athletic apparel business. Plank is married to Desiree Guerzon and together the couple has one son Kevin James Plank. 6 on 50 Most Influential People in Sports by, No. [21][22][23] Many long-term employees questioned Plank's strategy and whether the company would produce a return on their investment. Kevin Plank is the founder, chairman and former CEO at Under Armour, one of the most successful sportswear companies in the world. Under Armour founder Kevin Plank resorted to “sales tricks” and improper accounting to attain unrealistic sales goals as the brand’s popularity faded, shareholders allege in … He’s had a heck of a run, and his story is well know in entrepreneurial circles: Chapter 1: Walks on to the football team at the University of Maryland in the early 1990s. 16 on 50 Most Influential People in Sports Business by, No. 37 on Businessperson of the Year list by, No. His first big team sale was to Georgia Tech. The … Kevin A. Plank is an American CEO and founder of Under Armour, Inc., a leading manufacturer of sports performance apparel, footwear and accessories based in Baltimore. His company is the second largest sportswear vendor in the whole of America, picking up sales of around 3.8 billion USD this year. Kevin A. Plank was born on August 13, 1972, in Kensington, Maryland. Under Armour paid more than $73 million last year to businesses controlled by Kevin Plank, far more than he earned as the athletic gear maker’s chief executive. “Brand is not a product that’s for sure; it’s not one item. His mother is a former mayor of Kensington, who went on to direct the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs at the United States Department of State under President Ronald Reagan. "Under Armour CEO and founder Kevin Plank stepping down, replaced by COO Patrik Frisk"; Courtney Regan; "Under Armour founder Kevin Plank is stepping down as CEO", "Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank embarks on megamansion in Baltimore County", "Sagamore Farm history comes alive with visit from a Vanderbilt", "Kevin Plank, founder of Under Armour, enters horse in Preakness", "50 things to do or see in Maryland sports: Visit Native Dancer's grave at Sagamore Farm", "In Baltimore, Under Armour's owner invests in a $5.5 billion bet on his city", "Remaking Baltimore's waterfront, with a splash of whiskey", "Plank's Sagamore Development plans start-up hub in Port Covington", "Sagamore Spirit debuts its distillery in Port Covington", "Under Armour's Kevin Plank enters the whiskey wars", "Historic Recreation Pier reopens as Sagamore Pendry Hotel", "Sagamore unveils first new Baltimore water taxi, a historic Chesapeake throwback", "Kevin Plank donates $1 million to Baltimore's CollegeBound Foundation", "Kevin Plank's foundation funds summer jobs for Cherry Hill students", "Greater Baltimore Committee backs Port Covington TIF", "Transportation workforce development to be top priorities for Greater Washington Partnership", "Kevin Plank, Living Classrooms Foundation unveil UA House in East Baltimore", "Under Armour re-imagines a community center in East Baltimore", "Kevin Plank's Cupid's Cup picks College Park startup for top prize", "Plank giving $25 million for UM athletic, academic project", "Under Armour's Kevin Plank gives $16 million to high school alma mater", "The Most Expensive House in Washington D.C. is Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank's Georgetown Mansion", "Search Campaign Finance Data by Individual Contributor", "Kevin Plank praises Trump as 'passionate' and pro-business", "Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank responds to Trump tempest with letter to Baltimore", "Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank clarifies Trump comments in Baltimore Sun ad", "Under Armour CEO adds his name to those leaving Trump's manufacturing council", "Under Armour's Kevin Plank rips decision to exit Paris climate agreement", "Joe Sullivan, Kevin Plank among 150 CEOs pledging to improve workplace diversity and inclusion, something that President Trump already fully endorses", "2016 Success Achiever of the Year: Kevin Plank", "Hudl founders named to Fast Company list", "Kevin Plank inducted into Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame", "2016 Most Influential in Sports LIst–Brian France #23", "Power 100: The Most Influential Designers, Influencers and Leaders in the Shoe Industry", "SN ranks the 50 most influential people in sports", "Adweek's Power List 2016: The top 100 leaders in marketing, media and tech", "Here's how Kevin Plank says business owners can create a global brand", "50 Most Influential: No. Using a mix of his own cash, credit cards, and a Small Business Administration loan, he launched the business. [34] There are about 100 horses on Sagamore farm, with about 40 actively training as of July 2017. The competition got its name from his “Cupid's Valentine” rose business he began while attending the University. [10], However, he went to University of Maryland, College Park and walked onto the team there. [3][4] His father was a prominent Maryland land developer. On branding. Kevin A Plank is Chairman/Chief Brand Ofcr/Founder at Under Armour Inc. See Kevin A Plank's compensation, career history, education, & memberships. Forbes recognized Plank in2012 for his phenomenal work in changing players’ experience on the field. [2], Plank married Desiree Guerzon, in 2003. [16] He also attempted to name his company Body Armor, but efforts to trademark that name were also unsuccessful. [44] The next year, his charitable arm funded 40 summer jobs for Cherry Hill, Baltimore, public school students in the maritime transport industry. [10] He graduated in 1996[3][11] with a bachelor's degree in business administration. His former home, when he put it up for sale, was the most expensive home on the market in Washington, DC. Plank is the founder and executive chairman of Under Armour, a manufacturer of sportswear, footwear and accessories, based in Baltimore, Maryland. Kevin Plank, Under Armour’s founder and CEO, traveled up and down the east coast with nothing but apparel in the trunk of his car trying to sell shirts. [48] Through his Cupid Foundation, Plank donated $5 million to help create the UA House at Fayette, an East Baltimore community center run by Living Classrooms. 23 — Kevin Plank", "The 100 most influential leaders in marketing, media and tech", "Under Armour To Receive FN's 2015 Brand Of The Year Award", "America's Most Powerful CEOs 40 And Under", "Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank named one of SI's most powerful people in sports", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kevin_Plank&oldid=1000373768, American chief executives of fashion industry companies, American chief executives of manufacturing companies, Players of American football from Maryland, University of Maryland, College Park benefactors, University of Maryland, College Park alumni, People from Georgetown (Washington, D.C.), Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments, Articles containing potentially dated statements from June 2018, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, No. KEVIN PLANK: When I started, I used to carry two business cards with me. At the helm of this high-growth company is Kevin Plank, an innovative and passionate entrepreneur, and also a fighter who has worked for years to get UA to where it … He stepped down from the council following President Trump's comments on violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, saying Under Armour "engages in innovation and sports, not politics". About Kevin Plank Kevin Plank, born in Kensington, Maryland in 1972, is the founder and former CEO of Under Armour, a clothing manufacturer of footwear, sportswear and related accessories. [49], Plank has been a long-time supporter of the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business and Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship. [57] In the days following the remarks, Plank bought a full-page advertisement in The Baltimore Sun to clarify his comments. Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank – who founded the company and grew it into a major force in the sports apparel industry only to see it stumble as it … [31] The farm was the home to stallion Native Dancer, who went 21 for 22 during his racing career from 1952 to 1954. One of them was Cupid’s Valentine which roses on Valentine’s Day & earned the young lad around $17,000. Following a 1999 in-ring accident which left Drozdov quadriplegic, Plank personally financed his customized wheelchair. Kevin Plank is an eminent American entrepreneur, founder & CEO of famous sports apparel brand Under Armour. Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank had a close relationship with MSNBC anchor Stephanie Ruhle that some deemed to be “problematic,” The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. His core principles, which he has inscribed throughout the Under Armour headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland, are: "Think like an entrepreneur. CEO and founder Kevin Plank is stepping back from the position, the company announced Tuesday. [40] Its first bottles were sold at stores in 2016. I carried one that said, Under Armour, Kevin Plank, President Under Armour. [55] On CNBC's Halftime Report in February 2017, Plank commented on Donald Trump's pro-business philosophy, saying the president was a "real asset" to the business community. Plank always had his entrepreneurial instincts even before he launched Under Armour. [11][3] Frustrated by his cotton T-shirts' inability to keep him dry and comfortable, he searched for a material that would wick the sweat from his body. [40], Plank renovated the former Recreation Pier building in Fells Point, Baltimore. Under Armour’s origin story is nearly folklore at this point: in 1996, the brand’s founder Kevin Plank invented a sweat-wicking shirt in his grandma’s basement.

How To Get To Porcupine Falls Wyoming, Costco Shopper Pr, Virginia Beach Inmate Mugshots, Slot In Tagalog, Scrubbing Bubbles Shortage, I'm Gonna Find Another You Solo, 2017 Mazda 3 Sedan,