Under Armour

In 1995, Kevin Plank, a senior at the University of Maryland and a football player, developed prototype tees made of white synthetic fabric similar to compression shorts. The tees were tested on fellow players and found to be comfortable and sweat-free.

Under Armour was founded on September 25, 1996 by Kevin Plank, a former special teams captain of the University of Maryland football team. Since its inception, Under Armour has grown to become a major player in the sports clothing industry, competing with giants like Nike and Adidas.

In 1997, Under Armour launched HeatGear® and ColdGear® fabrics, designed to keep athletes cool in hot conditions and warm in cold conditions respectively, revolutionizing athletic apparel.

In 1998, Under Armour made significant strides by providing apparel for major motion pictures like Any Given Sunday and The Replacements, which led to a surge in brand recognition and sales.

Under Armour received a major break in 1999 when Warner Brothers used their products in two feature films, 'Any Given Sunday' and 'The Replacements'. This exposure helped boost the brand's visibility and sales.

In March 2000, Under Armour provided gear for the new XFL football league, gaining significant attention during the league's debut on national television. This exposure helped expand the presence of Under Armour products in retail outlets across the United States.

Under Armour sponsored and outfitted the U.S. archery team at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, showcasing its presence in the sports industry.

In October 2000, Under Armour moved to a new 14,000-square-foot location to meet the increasing demand for its products. This expansion was a response to the growing popularity of Under Armour gear in various sports leagues and among law enforcement and military personnel.

By 2004, Under Armour's sales surpassed $200 million, indicating significant growth and success for the brand.

Under Armour became a publicly traded company on November 17, 2005, trading on NASDAQ under the symbol 'UARM'. It was the first U.S.-based initial public offering in five years to double on its first day of trading.

On November 18, 2005, Kevin Plank, the founder of Under Armour, took the company public, raising $157 million.

In 2006, Under Armour entered the footwear market by launching its first line of football cleats. The brand quickly gained a 23 percent market share in its debut year and became the official footwear supplier for the NFL.

In late 2007, Under Armour opened its first full-line full-price retail location at the Westfield Annapolis mall in Annapolis, Maryland. This marked a strategic move towards establishing a physical retail presence.

By achieving nearly a fourfold increase in revenue over five years, Under Armour crossed the $1 billion annual revenue mark in 2010, just 15 years after its inception in Kevin Plank's grandmother's basement.

On November 3, 2011, the CPSC announced a voluntary recall of all Under Armour Defender chin straps, as they posed a laceration hazard when the metal snap came into contact with a player.

In 2012, Under Armour introduced the 'Under Armour Scent Control' line, designed to prevent the detection of the wearer's scent, enhancing the overall experience.

Under Armour acquired MapMyFitness in 2013 as part of their strategy to develop a digital ecosystem for collecting data.

Under Armour and the University of Notre Dame reached a 10-year agreement for Under Armour to provide uniforms and athletic equipment for the university, marking the largest deal of its kind in college athletics history.

Under Armour released a new line of shoes called Curry One, inspired by NBA star Stephen Curry, which became available in stores on February 13, 2015.

Under Armour's journey from a small athletic-apparel company to a $15 billion empire is a remarkable success story in the sports industry.

Kevin Plank, the Founder and CEO of Under Armour, delivered a speech during an IBM keynote address at the 2016 CES trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Under Armour secured a 10-year deal with MLB to become the official on-field uniform provider starting in 2020, replacing Majestic. However, the company later backed out of the deal with MLB in May 2018 to save around $50 million, with Nike taking over as the on-field uniform supplier.

After his third major victory at the 2017 Open Championship, Jordan Spieth faced challenges in securing another tournament win, highlighting the mental strength required in championship golf.

Under Armour signed Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid to a sneaker endorsement deal on October 10, 2018.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish will wear Under Armour's latest uniform design, ArmourGrid, at the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas, marking the first time Under Armour is represented in college football's premier showcase.

On October 22, 2020, Under Armour announced that Kevin Plank would be stepping down from his role as CEO.

On November 15, 2020, Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank addressed allegations regarding the company's integrity and reputation, expressing disappointment at the lack of full context in public opinion.

Kevin Plank has resumed the position of CEO at Under Armour on March 13, 2021, aiming to lead the company through a turnaround phase.

Troy Grimes, an Under Armour retail teammate, is set to run 58 miles to raise $5,800 for Every Kid Sports. The organization aims to help kids from income-restricted families experience the positive benefits of playing sports by helping cover a portion of their registration fees.

Jordan Spieth secured his 13th PGA Tour victory at the RBC Heritage in a thrilling sudden-death playoff against Patrick Cantlay. This win marked his second consecutive Easter Sunday triumph and extended his partnership with Under Armour until December 2029.

Patrik Frisk announced his resignation as President and CEO of Under Armour, effective June 1, 2022. The board has initiated a search for a permanent replacement, and Colin Browne has been appointed as interim President and CEO.

Under Armour postponed the return to campus for all U.S. and Canada corporate teammates to July 2022 due to COVID-19 concerns, requiring full vaccination for all corporate teammates.

Under Armour released its 2021 Sustainability & Impact Report, detailing new sustainability goals and targets to reduce environmental footprint and enhance social impact. The report focuses on product sustainability, environmental initiatives, and community support.

Stephen Curry and Under Armour launched the 11th version of his signature shoe, solidifying his place among basketball greats. The Curry 11 features futuristic design and cutting-edge technology to enhance players' performance on the court.

Sharon Lokedi, a member of UA Mission Run Dark Sky Distance, won the 2022 New York City Marathon in her marathon debut wearing a prototype of the UA Flow Velociti Elite.

Under Armour organized the Elite 24 event in Chicago, bringing together top high school basketball players to showcase their skills on a national platform. The event aimed to support and highlight the next generation of basketball stars.

Effective September 11, 2023, Under Armour appointed John Varvatos to the position of chief design officer, signaling a strategic move in the company's leadership.

Kevin Plank confirmed the leadership change at Under Armour through a post on his LinkedIn account on March 13, 2024. He expressed gratitude towards Linnartz for her contributions.

Effective April 1, 2024, Kevin Plank returned to Under Armour as CEO, replacing Stephanie Linnartz who had served in the position for a little over a year.

More than 70 kids received a surprise when Stephen Curry and Snoop Dogg revealed a newly refurbished basketball court at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach. The court, supported by Curry Brand powered by Under Armour, aims to impact youth and provide safe places to play.

Under Armour announced a new, long-term commitment to create opportunities for millions of youth to engage in sports by 2030.