Under Armour's chief executive continued to face a backlash from celebrities for comments he made this week on CNBC saying President Donald Trump was an "asset to the country."
Actor and former professional wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and ballerina Misty Copeland appeared to have followed Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry in taking issue with the statement by Kevin Plank. All three are sponsored by Under Armour.
Plank earlier this week on CNBC's "Halftime Report" said Trump is a "real asset" for U.S. companies and is "highly passionate."
Curry, a friend of former President Barack Obama, responded to Plank's "asset" comment by telling the San Jose Mercury News, "I agree with that description if you remove the 'et.'"
Johnson issued his own comment on Twitter Thursday.
"I appreciate and welcome the feedback from those who disagree (and agree) with Kevin Plank's words on CNBC, but these are neither my words, nor my beliefs," Johnson wrote in his Twitter statement. "His words were divisive and lacking in perspective, inadvertently creating a situation where the personal political opinions of Under Armour's partners and its employees were overshadowed by the comments of its CEO."
Copeland made her statement through her Instagram account.
"I strongly disagree with Kevin Plank's recent comments in support of Trump as recently reported," Copeland said on Instagram. "Those of you who have supported and followed my career know that the one topic I've never backed away from speaking openly about is the importance of diversity and inclusion. It is imperative to me that my partners and sponsors share this belief."
Under Armour issued a clarification of Plank's statement, which was posted by the Mercury News.
"We engage in policy, not politics," the Under Armour statement said. "We believe in advocating for fair trade, an inclusive immigration policy that welcomes the best and the brightest and those seeking opportunity in the great tradition of our country, and tax reform that drives hiring to help create new jobs globally, across America and in Baltimore.
"At Under Armour, our diversity is our strength, and we will continue to advocate for policies that Protect Our House, our business, our team, and our community," the statement continued.
Curry told the Mercury News that after talking with Plant directly and others at Under Armour, he felt more comfortable about the company's commitment to diversity.
"Based off the release that KP sent out this morning, and what he told me last night, that's the Under Armour that I know. That's the brand I know he's built and one that, as of Wednesday afternoon, is something that I'm standing on," Curry told the Mercury News.