Under Armour (UAA) investors have expressed concerns that CEO Kevin Plank is focused on Plank Industries, his private investment firm, and not on the struggling athletic apparel manufacturer. While “2017 sucked” (Kevin’s words, not mine) for UAA shareholders, Plank Industries (which includes a horse breeding and racing operation) opened a boutique hotel, a whiskey distillery and raised $233 million for a real estate venture in Baltimore. In June, UAA hired Patrik Frisk (former ALDO Group CEO) as President and COO. Frisk has since taken on a more public leadership role, speaking on the October earnings call; offering further evidence to those that believe UAA is no longer Plank’s top priority. Plank insists his “job is running Under Armour, period”; with Plank Industries’ Chief Executive Tom Geddes saying that Plank only reviews his outside investments on a quarterly basis.
Howie Long-Short: In 2017, UAA posted net losses in consecutive quarters, a quarterly sales decline (for the 1st time since going public) and laid off 300+ employees (and a handful of C-level executives) as the stock declined 45.7% YTD; so it’s understandable shareholders are looking to assign blame. For comparison purposes, NKE who had its own set of struggles in ‘17 is up 24% YTD (ADDYY is +13.2%). Regardless of Plank’s involvement, the company is in good hands with Patrick Frisk. Frisk has 30+ years of experience in apparel and retail, having led VF Corp. (VFC) brands The North Face and Timberland before joining Aldo Group.
Fan Marino: Under Armour has agreed to a 10-year deal with Major League Baseball that will make the brand the league’s official uniform supplier beginning with the 2020 season. UAA will be the exclusive provider of all on-field uniform components including jerseys, base layers, outerwear and training apparel. While it’s the company’s first professional uniform deal, they’ve been partners with MLB since 2000; initially as a base-layer supplier (2000) and then becoming a footwear partner (2011).
Under Pressure at Under Armour, CEO Says His Eye Is on the Ball
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