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Under Armour

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Under Armour Inc.
Company typePublic
Industryclothing industry Edit this on Wikidata
Founded1969
FounderKevin Plank Edit this on Wikidata
Headquarters
Baltimore Edit this on Wikidata
Key people
Kevin Plank (Founder/President/CEO)
ProductsClothing & Accessories
RevenueIncrease$606.6 million USD (2007)
Increase$52.6 million USD (2007)
Number of employees
1400 (2008)[1]
Websitewww.underarmour.com

Under Armour NYSE: UA is a brand of clothing headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, designed for use in sports. It was originally created to be worn underneath uniforms (like baseball or basketball jerseys) or pads (like football, hockey or lacrosse shoulder pads), but now also manufactures clothes such as hooded sweatshirts, regular t-shirts, sweat pants, compression shorts, etc. Gaining immense exposure and popularity in 2003, Under Armour led the trend of form-fitting, moisture-wicking performance apparel which was soon imitated by Reebok's PlayDry material for it's NFL Equipment line.[2] In June 2006, Under Armour released a line of football cleats using the slogan "Click-Clack." Many soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan wear Under Armour or similar moisture-wicking clothing for some relief in the hot climate. Recently, parts of the U.S. Military and other NATO forces have banned Under Armour because polyester fuses to the skin when exposed to flame or very intense heat, resulting in very bad burns.[3] In 2008, Under Armour aired its first Super Bowl ad, marketing its first all-sport training shoe, which was released in May 2008.

Retail operations

Under Armour Hat

In late 2007, Under Armour opened its first retail location, at the Westfield Annapolis mall in Annapolis, Maryland. In May 2008, Under Armour also opened a larger 6,000-square-foot store at Westfield Fox Valley in Aurora, Illinois. The stores are designed to look like the underbelly of a sports stadium with concrete facade, tunnel entrance and a ramp that goes up into the store. Under Armour plans to open several other stores in 2008, including one in the Natick Collection mall in Natick, Massachusetts, and one in Westfield Montgomery in Bethesda, Maryland.

Sponsorship

Athletic teams

On February 15, 2008, Under Armour announced it will become the official kit sponsor of German Bundesliga team Hannover 96 beginning with the 2008-09 season, Under Armour's first kit sponsorship for a professional soccer team.[4] Under Armour also announced it would supply the Wales rugby team's kits starting with the 2008 end-of-year Tests.[5]

Under Armour is the official outfitter for the football programs at University of Maryland, University of Delaware, Southern Illinois University, Auburn University, University of South Carolina, University of South Florida, Texas Tech University, University of Hawaiʻi, University of North Texas, and University of Utah.[6]

On September 2, 2008, Under Armour signed a 5-year contract with the University of Maryland, College Park worth $17.5 million, making Under Armour the sole athletic outfitter for all 27 varsity sports at the school. The contract officially goes into effect January 1, 2009, but Under Armour will immediately begin outfitting the majority of the teams.

Spokespeople

Kimmie Meissner wearing Under Armour warmup gear

Awards

References

  1. ^ Barnett, Gigi (2008-05-04). "New Under Armour Product Revealed". WJZ 13 Baltimore. {{cite news}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ Baltimore Business Journal Nike also joined the race with its Dri-FIT Pro line. Analysts: Brand crossover risky for Under Armour "Under Armour's shirts, shorts and accessories are made with moisture-wicking fabrics that pull sweat away from the body. They've become the industry standard even as Nike, Reebok and other companies have tried desperately to overtake Under Armour as the..."
  3. ^ Holt, Stephen (April 10, 2006). "Marines Ban Polyester Clothing In Iraq". Marine Corps News. Retrieved 2007-11-30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "Under Armour(R) is New Official Kit Supplier for Hannover 96". press release. Yahoo.com. 2008-02-15. Retrieved 2008-02-19. {{cite news}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ "Under Armour and Welsh Rugby Union Sign Official Kit Supplier Agreement" (Press release). Under Armour. 2008-02-14. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  6. ^ "Under Armour says 'Aloha' to University of Hawaii". press release. Baltimore Business Journal at bizjournals.com. 2008-02-25. Retrieved 2008-03-02. {{cite news}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ "Women's Sports Foundation Hosted The Billies, Recognizing Media Excellence in Women's Sports and Physical Activity". prnewswire.com. 2008-04-16. Retrieved 2008-04-16. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

External links

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