Kevin Plank

Kevin Plank is an American entrepreneur best known as the founder of the global athletic apparel and footwear company Under Armour. A former University of Maryland football player, he started the company in 1996 to create a superior performance T-shirt that would keep athletes dry. Under his leadership, Under Armour grew into a multi-billion dollar competitor to giants like Nike and Adidas, fundamentally impacting the sports apparel industry.

Early life and education

Born in Kensington, Maryland, he was the youngest of five sons in a family with a strong entrepreneurial background. He attended St. John's College High School in Washington, D.C., where he was a standout on the football team. He later enrolled at the University of Maryland, College Park, playing as a fullback and special teams captain for the Maryland Terrapins football team under coach Mark Duffner. His experience with sweat-soaked cotton T-shirts during practice sparked the initial idea for a better garment. He graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the Robert H. Smith School of Business.

Career and Under Armour

After graduation, he founded Under Armour from the basement of his grandmother's house in Georgetown. The company's first major break came when he secured an equipment deal with the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. Growth accelerated through strategic endorsements with athletes like Eric Ogbogu and placements in major films like Any Given Sunday. The company went public in 2005, trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol UAA. As CEO, he oversaw a massive expansion into footwear, signing landmark deals with athletes such as Michael Phelps, Stephen Curry, and Misty May-Treanor, and entering competitive markets against Nike and Adidas. He also spearheaded major acquisitions, including the fitness technology platforms MapMyFitness, Endomondo, and MyFitnessPal. He stepped down as CEO in 2020, assuming the role of Executive Chairman and Brand Chief of Under Armour, before transitioning to the position of Founder and CEO of Plank Industries in 2023.

Philanthropy and civic engagement

His philanthropic efforts are largely channeled through the Plank Family Foundation and a deep commitment to revitalizing Baltimore. He is a principal partner in the redevelopment of Port Covington, one of the largest urban renewal projects in the United States, and was instrumental in attracting major tenants like the headquarters of T. Rowe Price. He served as chairman of the President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition under the Trump administration. A significant benefactor to his alma mater, his donations have supported the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business and athletics, including the naming of the Plank football facility. He also founded Sagamore Ventures, which invests in and supports Baltimore-based entrepreneurs and startups.

Personal life

He married D. J. "Dasha" Plank, a former *Elle* fashion editor, in 2014 at his Sagamore Farm estate in Glyndon, Maryland. The couple has three children and resides primarily in Baltimore. He is an avid equestrian and owns the historic Sagamore Farm, a renowned thoroughbred racing and breeding operation that once belonged to Alfred G. Vanderbilt II. His other business interests are managed through his holding company, Plank Industries, which has investments in real estate, hospitality, and venture capital.

Awards and recognition

He has received numerous accolades for his entrepreneurial achievements. He was named Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year in 2003. In 2012, he was inducted into the Maryland Business Hall of Fame. *SportsBusiness Journal* recognized him as one of the most influential people in sports business. The University of Maryland awarded him an honorary doctorate, and he has been featured on the covers of prestigious publications like *Forbes* and *Fortune*.