Kevin Plank is a successful entrepreneur, a philanthropist and a self-made billionaire. Most notably, he founded Under Armour, and he continues to serve as the company’s Chairman and CEO. This is only one of many accomplishments that Plank has achieved throughout his lifetime.
Plank originally discovered and nurtured his entrepreneurial spirit in college. As a student, he started a business known as Cupid’s Valentine. By selling roses to students and staff members around Valentine’s Day, he earned several thousand dollars. This money later become seed funds for Under Armour.
The concept for Under Armour was based on Plank’s personal experience playing college football. He wanted to produce athletic apparel that was more comfortable than cotton when it got sweaty. Initially, he sold Under Armour shirts from his car and to his former college teammates. The company’s first major jump in revenue occurred after it ran an ad in ESPN’s magazine. This resulted in revenue of more than $1 million. Today, Under Armour employs more than 15,000 staff members and generates annual revenue greater than $5 billion.
Kevin Plank has been professionally involved in other endeavors while running Under Armour. He purchased Sagamore Farm in 2007. This 530-acre horse farm produced a Breeder’s Cup winner in 2010, and it continues to own, stable and train more than 100 horses.
Plank also started a real estate development firm, known as Plank Industries, in 2013. Under this company, he launched a whiskey distillery called Sagamore Spirit. Plank Industries also has developed a $5.5 billion mixed use project in Port Covington, renovated Recreation Pier in Fells Point, reinvigorated the Sagamore Pendry Hotel and worked on other projects.
Kevin Plank attended Fork Union Military Academy for a year after graduating from high school. He played college football for this school. The following year, he transferred to the University of Maryland in College Park. Plank walked onto the school’s football and played throughout the rest of his college career. In 1996, he graduated with a degree in business administration. His football experiences as well as his entrepreneurial effort with Cupid’s Valentine at the University of Maryland both developed a solid foundation that supported Plank’s Under Armour endeavor.
Kevin Plank has a lengthy philanthropic history. This began in 1999 while he was still trying to gain traction for Under Armour. His former college roommate was involved in a serious sports accident that resulted in quadriplegia. Plank funded a customized wheelchair for him. He has also donated tens of millions of dollars and countless hours to CollegeBound, the UA House, the Dingman Center’s endowment fund, St. John’s High School, the Cold Field House project, the Archdiocese of Baltimore and others.
Numerous organizations have recognized the contributions that Kevin Plank has made as well as his business acumen. Most recently, he has been inducted in the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame. He was also named Achiever of the Year by Success Magazine and was included in Fast Company’s list of most creative business professionals. Fortune, Forbes, Sporting News, Adweek, Men’s Fitness and others have also recognized him over the years.