Steph, Azzi (and Under Armour)

[Sargassoc]

Supposedly, from Sole Receiver, a sneaker news platform (yes, it's a thing) Steph Curry's "breakup" with Under Armour partially had to do with Azzi. LINK

 

[FanSince17]

I was teaching “The Stock Market Game”, almost 10 years ago, with 5th graders and I told them in our first assignment to choose at least one company to invest in that was from MD. Many of the groups chose Under Armor. (Baltimore city) As time went by, all of my students’ portfolios were under water. Turned out that the Curry shoe was so ugly that it sent the whole company into a tailspin, including internationally. Google it. Pretty funny.
They since redesigned his shoe, but there’s a little history for you.

 

[temery]

I was teaching “The Stock Market Game”, almost 10 years ago, with 5th graders and I told them in our first assignment to choose at least one company to invest in that was from MD. Many of the groups chose Under Armor. (Baltimore city) As time went by, all of my students’ portfolios were under water. Turned out that the Curry shoe was so ugly that it sent the whole company into a tailspin, including internationally. Google it. Pretty funny.
They since redesigned his shoe, but there’s a little history for you.

Note to all teachers here - do a stock market challenge with your students, then invite parents in the industry to speak to your class. They'll give great tips for no reason other than to look good in front of their son/daughter.

 

[cancontent]

Considering the financial challenges Under Armour are facing, maybe it was a good thing they didn't sign her. And who knows what really happened? These sources aren't willing to put their names on record.

For all we know, Fudd and her team may not have been as enamoured with Under Armour. It's not like Under Armour has had success landing athletes who have gone pro in the WNBA. Looking at her potential once she's drafted, this looks to be better for her at this point. Adidas and Nike have stepped up their game recently and can afford more than Under Armour from what I've observed.

 

[cancontent]

I was teaching “The Stock Market Game”, almost 10 years ago, with 5th graders and I told them in our first assignment to choose at least one company to invest in that was from MD. Many of the groups chose Under Armor. (Baltimore city) As time went by, all of my students’ portfolios were under water. Turned out that the Curry shoe was so ugly that it sent the whole company into a tailspin, including internationally. Google it. Pretty funny.
They since redesigned his shoe, but there’s a little history for you.

Not only were they ugly, the quality left a lot to be desired. My daughter was provided a pair when she played with an Under Armour sponsored team and they fell apart within months of playing in them. During a different event, where she was given a pair, all of the players who got them had issues wearing them and complained about the lack of comfort.

 

[FanSince17]

Considering the financial challenges Under Armour are facing, maybe it was a good thing they didn't sign her. And who knows what really happened? These sources aren't willing to put their names on record.

For all we know, Fudd and her team may not have been as enamoured with Under Armour. It's not like Under Armour has had success landing athletes who have gone pro in the WNBA. Looking at her potential once she's drafted, this looks to be better for her at this point. Adidas and Nike have stepped up their game recently and can afford more than Under Armour from what I've observed.

They seem to be pretty loyal, if that means anything.
My favorite golfer, Jordan Spieth, who had a historic season in 2015, hasn't won in forever and he's still the top golfer for UA. It helps that he's still popular with fans (me), engaging, and photogenic. Sounds like Azzi. Hey- Jordan lives in Dallas. I'm just saying. (maybe he'll get a spark and Paige'll show up at an event.)

 

[WBBZen]

I saw the article. Pretty interesting. The main thing I got from it was that Steph didn't have control over who Curry Brand was signing and he had to work through UA. That sounds like the biggest issue of their partnership as it seems like he wanted more control (understandable). Also, selfishly, UA is terrible so I'm glad Steph got away and Azzi didn't get stuck with them 😄

I am curious if Azzi will stick with Steph and Curry Brand, wherever he takes it, or if she'll also be a free agent, essentially. He's done a lot for her, so I can see her sticking with Curry Brand

 

[cancontent]

They seem to be pretty loyal, if that means anything.
My favorite golfer, Jordan Spieth, who had a historic season in 2015, hasn't won in forever and he's still the top golfer for UA. It helps that he's still popular with fans (me), engaging, and photogenic. Sounds like Azzi. Hey- Jordan lives in Dallas. I'm just saying. (maybe he'll get a spark and Paige'll show up at an event.)

Loyalty is great and all, but with UA restructuring and trying to figure out where to spend their dollars, Azzi is in a better place not being tied to them directly to determine what's best for her financially long term in my opinion.

 

[cancontent]

I saw the article. Pretty interesting. The main thing I got from it was that Steph didn't have control over who Curry Brand was signing and he had to work through UA. That sounds like the biggest issue of their partnership as it seems like he wanted more control (understandable). Also, selfishly, UA is terrible so I'm glad Steph got away and Azzi didn't get stuck with them 😄

I am curious if Azzi will stick with Steph and Curry Brand, wherever he takes it, or if she'll also be a free agent, essentially. He's done a lot for her, so I can see her sticking with Curry Brand

Think you have the brands confused. She had a relationship with SC30 per the article.

 

[WBBZen]

Think you have the brands confused. She had a relationship with SC30 per the article.

I understand Azzi doesn't have a formal business relationship with Curry Brand. I'm curious if she will come into Curry Brand fold properly.

 

[cancontent]

I understand Azzi doesn't have a formal business relationship with Curry Brand. I'm curious if she will come into Curry Brand fold properly.

Your sentence came across to me that she was signed to the brand.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

We are at a point when athlete leaders make many times their professional salaries from sponsors. Free enterprise, the American Way and all that, but I wonder what might be happening to the fabric of sport ... whatever is left of it.

 

[WiseWillie]

We are at a point when athlete leaders make many times their professional salaries from sponsors. Free enterprise, the American Way and all that, but I wonder what might be happening to the fabric of sport ... whatever is left of it.

Rocky, you are lamenting about something that has been argued by the critics ever since the rise of large-scale commercialization. Has the focus shifted from "love of the game" to a "show me the money" mentality? Is NIL just an offshoot of that? The enormous sums of money often just benefit a small segment of athletes highlighting injustices and inequality. Then there's those who argue that the huge endorsement deals provide vital funding for teams, athletes, and can provide better facilities and higher professional standards. It's an argument that will continue for as long as $ is involved,

 

[AzzisBraids]

Azzi is signed to Stephen Curry under his SC30 umbrella. She is smartly waiting to sign an official contract endo contract until she goes pro where Nike, Adidas, Puma, etc will all be lined around the block to offer her millions.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Rocky, you are lamenting about something that has been argued by the critics ever since the rise of large-scale commercialization. Has the focus shifted from "love of the game" to a "show me the money" mentality? Is NIL just an offshoot of that? The enormous sums of money often just benefit a small segment of athletes highlighting injustices and inequality. Then there's those who argue that the huge endorsement deals provide vital funding for teams, athletes, and can provide better facilities and higher professional standards. It's an argument that will continue for as long as $ is involved,

Yeah I know, but, for example, I contend that football really lost something when it dropped leather helmets.

 

[FanSince17]

Azzi is signed to Stephen Curry under his SC30 umbrella. She is smartly waiting to sign an official contract endo contract until she goes pro where Nike, Adidas, Puma, etc will all be lined around the block to offer her millions.

UA is truly a "local" business. Maybe worth rooting for. Local Baltimore denizen created the company. Gorgeous campus for the company in a Baltimore City neighborhood, Locust Point. Really nice. Ft McHenry (the rocket's red glare, bombs busting in air) is about a quarter mile away, on the water. They are fitness oriented, so they had a beautiful gym that opened out onto a boardwalk area on the water. They had a little 25 yard astroturf lined football field by the boardwalk. Gorgeous. I thought about trying to get a job there. All the little girl Azzi fans will be lining up at the UA outlet to buy her shoe.

 

[AzzisBraids]

UA is truly a "local" business. Maybe worth rooting for. Local Baltimore denizen created the company. Gorgeous campus for the company in a Baltimore City neighborhood, Locust Point. Really nice. Ft McHenry (the rocket's red glare, bombs busting in air) is about a quarter mile away, on the water. They are fitness oriented, so they had a beautiful gym that opened out onto a boardwalk area on the water. They had a little 25 yard astroturf lined football field by the boardwalk. Gorgeous. I thought about trying to get a job there. All the little girl Azzi fans will be lining up at the UA outlet to buy her shoe.

All the more reason why it's confusing they didn't attempt to sign the Hometown girl from the DMV

 

[Ozimoto]

Yeah, but if I remember correctly, Kevin Plank (the creator of Under Armor) was forced out so I'm not sure how much "home grown" management remains at UA. I don't think it's much of a "Baltimore" company anymore.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Yeah, but if I remember correctly, Kevin Plank (the creator of Under Armor) was forced out so I'm not sure how much "home grown" management remains at UA. I don't think it's much of a "Baltimore" company anymore.

Under Armour like Nike and many others has the bulk of its operations/goods sourced out of China.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Yeah, but if I remember correctly, Kevin Plank (the creator of Under Armor) was forced out so I'm not sure how much "home grown" management remains at UA. I don't think it's much of a "Baltimore" company anymore.

I think Plank is back as CEO since 2024. He and Azzi graduated from the same high school, St. John's Prep.

 

[Ozimoto]

I wasn't aware he was reinstated (or decided to take the CEO position back). Not that I pay that much attention to business news. 😜Seems the person they hired to turn the company around didn't meet with his approval. Since he is still the majority share holder it's still his company. They were having problems when he stepped down as CEO. Wonder what will be different this time...

 

[WiseWillie]

Under Armour like Nike and many others has the bulk of its operations/goods sourced out of China.

Yes, but like Apple and the other tech companies do they say what we're supposed to give them grace for with the notation "designed in the USA"? Or don't they bother with that since it's long acknowledged that China and/or other far eastern country with much cheaper labor cost is now the generally accepted source?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Yes, but like Apple and the other tech companies do they say what we're supposed to give them grace for with the notation "designed in the USA"? Or don't they bother with that since it's long acknowledged that China and/or other far eastern country with much cheaper labor cost is now the generally accepted source?

As one who has suffered the dreaded lash of Nan's No Politics button, I refuse to answer those questions. No offense meant @WiseWillie .

 

[Bone Dog]

I wonder if Steph is thinking of this situation in light of the Jordan-Hamm pattern. Those two were a centerpiece for Nike’s image building in the ‘80s. Obviously not a perfect parallel since he and Azzi aren’t in the same place in their careers. But they are much closer in name recognition then Michael and Mia were back then. Nike made a significant bet on women’s sports in those days by signing her. Betting on Steph and Azzi isn’t nearly so risky.

 

[WiseWillie]

As one who has suffered the dreaded lash of Nan's No Politics button, I refuse to answer those questions. No offense meant @WiseWillie .

Thought something like that was just common knowledge and certainly nothing political about it. But I hear you (and Nan if reading this) please accept a mea culpa from an old Huskies fan but a relative BY newcomer.

Anyway, Steph and Azzi are two extremely likable personalities and whether marketed together or not both, like many elite athletes across all sports, have turned their physical talents into a personalized brand marketed nationally and internationally. Just the comments on this thread alone reinforces that sports is one of - if not the biggest - entertainment and leisure businesses worldwide.