The Portland Business Journal is providing a virtual sneak peek tour of the new Under Armour "PDX campus" located at the former YMCA building on Barbur Boulevard. But if you've got better things to do than look at architecture porn, there's this quick description from PBJ that says it all:
The interior features popular amenities like high ceilings, large windows, open work spaces, rolling whiteboards and a café with Kombucha on tap.
The Portland branch also told PBJ they're committed to deepening their relationship with their new Portland home by fixing up "two Portland parks, including Duniway Park, which is adjacent to its new office and features a popular running track and athletic field. It also paid for a new synthetic athletic field at Lents Park."
So kudos for that, I guess. It's certainly not nothing—but I can't help thinking Under Armour would go much farther in efforts to fit in with our city if CEO Kevin Plank would disavow his support for President Trump.
Back in February, Plank made his devotion to Trump very clear in an interview with Business Insider, in which he said:
"To have such a pro-business president is something that is a real asset for the country," Plank said. "People can really grab that opportunity."
And...
"He wants to build things. He wants to make bold decisions and be really decisive," Plank said, alluding to Trump's desire to bolster American manufacturing and his plans to build a wall along the US-Mexico border and pass a large infrastructure improvement bill.
"I'm a big fan of people that operate in the world of 'publish and iterate' versus 'think, think, think, think, think,'" Plank said. "So there's a lot that I respect there."
At the time, I had a few choice words to say about that in a post subtly called"Under Armour Supports Trump, So Stop Buying Their Shit." But then came Charlottesville (and the president's grotesque response). And while Plank attempted to cover his company's assets with a placating tweet—still no denunciation of Trump.
We are saddened by #Charlottesville. There is no place for racism or discrimination in this world. We choose love & unity. - CEO Kevin Plank
— Under Armour (@UnderArmour) August 14, 2017
Apparently that tweet wasn't enough to satisfy most people (including the Black celebrities who endorse Under Armour products), because later that same day, Plank stepped down from the president's American Manufacturing Council.
I love our country & company. I am stepping down from the council to focus on inspiring & uniting through power of sport. - CEO Kevin Plank pic.twitter.com/8YvndJMjj1
— Under Armour (@UnderArmour) August 15, 2017
Despite his treacly promises to "inspire and unite through the power of sport" (yuck), his words didn't do much to correct the downward financial spiral of Under Armour. From CNN Money on August 15:
Under Armour (UA) has struggled for consecutive quarters. It announced earlier this month that its earnings will come in below forecasts and that it also will lay off 2% of its workforce.
Yet even after stepping down from the president's council, and sprucing up of a couple of Portland parks, Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank still has not said the magic words: "I disavow Donald Trump, and apologize for giving him my support." Until then, don't expect me to get excited about Under Armour's move to our city, or purchasing any of their garbage-y Walmart quality clothing. Enjoy your new Portland home, Under Armour—and your free-flowing Kombucha.
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