Plank's Return Signals New Era for Under Armour Compensation
Ticker: UA · Form: DEF 14A · Filed: Jun 26, 2025 · CIK: 1336917
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Company | Under Armour, Inc. (UA) |
| Form Type | DEF 14A |
| Filed Date | Jun 26, 2025 |
| Risk Level | medium |
| Sentiment | mixed |
Sentiment: mixed
Topics: Executive Compensation, Leadership Change, Corporate Governance, Equity Awards, DEF 14A, Under Armour, SEC Filing
Related Tickers: UA, UAA, NKE, ADDYY
TL;DR
**Under Armour's executive compensation shifts, with Plank back at the helm, signal a potential turnaround, but watch for concrete performance metrics.**
AI Summary
Under Armour's DEF 14A filing for the period ending March 31, 2025, primarily details executive compensation and governance, rather than direct revenue or net income figures. The filing indicates significant changes in leadership compensation, with Kevin Plank, the founder, returning as CEO for the fiscal year 2025, replacing Stephanie Linnartz. For the fiscal year 2024, Stephanie Linnartz, as CEO, received equity awards, while Kevin Plank's compensation for the same period is not explicitly detailed in the provided snippets. Patrik Frisk, a former CEO, received equity awards for periods including 2020, 2021, and parts of 2022, indicating a structured compensation plan over several years. The document highlights the company's ongoing commitment to equity-based incentives for its named executive officers (NEOs) and other non-principal executive officers (Non-PEO NEOs) across multiple fiscal years, from 2020 through 2025. This strategic outlook emphasizes long-term performance alignment through stock awards, which is a common practice to mitigate executive turnover risks and align management interests with shareholder value.
Why It Matters
This DEF 14A filing is crucial for investors as it outlines the compensation structure for Under Armour's top executives, particularly with Kevin Plank's return as CEO. Executive compensation directly impacts the company's bottom line and signals strategic priorities, influencing investor confidence. For employees, leadership changes and compensation philosophies can affect morale and future career paths within the company. Customers might see shifts in product strategy or brand direction under new leadership, impacting brand loyalty. In the competitive athletic apparel market, where Under Armour competes with giants like Nike and Adidas, a stable and motivated leadership team, incentivized appropriately, is vital for market share and innovation.
Risk Assessment
Risk Level: medium — The risk level is medium due to the leadership transition and the reliance on equity awards. While equity awards align executive interests with shareholders, their value is tied to stock performance, which can be volatile. The filing doesn't provide specific financial performance metrics for the current or upcoming fiscal year, making it difficult to assess the immediate impact of these compensation decisions on the company's financial health.
Analyst Insight
Investors should closely monitor Under Armour's upcoming earnings reports for fiscal year 2025 to assess the financial impact of Kevin Plank's return and the new compensation structure. Pay attention to revenue growth, net income, and market share changes, as these will indicate whether the leadership transition is translating into improved business performance.
Executive Compensation
| Name | Title | Total Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Stephanie Linnartz | CEO | |
| Kevin Plank | Founder and CEO | |
| Patrik Frisk | Former CEO | |
| Colin Browne | Member |
Key Numbers
- 2025-03-31 — Conformed Period of Report End Date (Indicates the fiscal year-end for the compensation data presented.)
- 2025-06-26 — Filed As Of Date (Date the DEF 14A was officially filed with the SEC.)
- 0001336917 — Central Index Key (CIK) (Unique identifier for Under Armour with the SEC.)
- 101 Performance Drive — Business Address Street (Under Armour's corporate headquarters location.)
Key Players & Entities
- Under Armour, Inc. (company) — filer of DEF 14A
- Kevin Plank (person) — CEO of Under Armour for FY2025
- Stephanie Linnartz (person) — former CEO of Under Armour for FY2024
- Patrik Frisk (person) — former CEO of Under Armour (2020-2022)
- Colin Browne (person) — executive officer of Under Armour
- SEC (regulator) — recipient of DEF 14A filing
- Baltimore (company) — city of Under Armour's business address
- Maryland (company) — state of Under Armour's incorporation and business address
FAQ
What is the primary purpose of Under Armour's DEF 14A filing?
The primary purpose of Under Armour's DEF 14A filing is to provide detailed information regarding executive compensation, particularly for named executive officers like Kevin Plank and Stephanie Linnartz, and to outline corporate governance matters ahead of the annual shareholder meeting.
Who is the current CEO of Under Armour according to this filing?
According to the DEF 14A filing, Kevin Plank is the CEO of Under Armour for the fiscal year 2025, having taken over from Stephanie Linnartz.
What type of compensation is emphasized for Under Armour's executives?
The filing emphasizes equity awards as a significant component of compensation for Under Armour's named executive officers and other non-principal executive officers, spanning fiscal years from 2020 through 2025.
When was Under Armour's DEF 14A filed with the SEC?
Under Armour's DEF 14A was filed with the SEC on June 26, 2025, with an accession number of 0001336917-25-000112.
What period does the compensation data in this Under Armour filing cover?
The compensation data in this Under Armour filing covers various periods, with the conformed period of report ending on March 31, 2025, and specific executive compensation details provided for fiscal years 2020 through 2025.
How does executive compensation impact Under Armour's investors?
Executive compensation directly impacts Under Armour's investors by influencing the company's financial performance and strategic direction. Equity-based awards, for example, align executive interests with shareholder value, but their effectiveness depends on the company's stock performance.
What is the significance of Kevin Plank's return as CEO for Under Armour?
Kevin Plank's return as CEO for Under Armour signifies a major leadership transition, potentially indicating a shift in strategic direction and a renewed focus on the company's core vision, which could impact future business performance and investor sentiment.
Are there any specific financial performance figures mentioned in this Under Armour DEF 14A?
No, the provided snippets from this Under Armour DEF 14A filing do not contain specific revenue or net income figures. The document primarily focuses on executive compensation and governance details.
What is Under Armour's Central Index Key (CIK)?
Under Armour's Central Index Key (CIK) is 0001336917, which is its unique identifier used for filings with the SEC.
Where is Under Armour's business address located?
Under Armour's business address is located at 101 Performance Drive, Baltimore, Maryland, 21230.
Industry Context
Under Armour operates in the highly competitive athletic apparel and footwear market, facing established global players like Nike and Adidas, as well as emerging brands. The industry is characterized by a strong emphasis on innovation, marketing, and direct-to-consumer sales channels. Trends include a growing demand for sustainable products and athleisure wear.
Regulatory Implications
As a publicly traded company, Under Armour is subject to SEC regulations, including the timely and accurate filing of documents like the DEF 14A. Compliance with executive compensation disclosure rules is critical to maintaining investor trust and avoiding potential penalties. Changes in accounting standards or corporate governance regulations could also impact reporting requirements.
What Investors Should Do
- Review executive compensation details for fiscal year 2025.
- Analyze historical equity award trends for NEOs.
- Monitor leadership changes and their compensation implications.
Key Dates
- 2025-03-31: Fiscal Year End — Marks the end of the reporting period for which compensation data is presented, aligning with the company's fiscal calendar.
- 2025-06-26: Filed As Of Date — Indicates the date the DEF 14A filing was officially submitted to the SEC, providing a timestamp for the information's availability.
- 2024-04-01: Start of Fiscal Year 2025 — Beginning of the period for which Kevin Plank served as CEO and for which compensation data is being reported.
- 2023-04-01: Start of Fiscal Year 2024 — Beginning of the period for which Stephanie Linnartz served as CEO and received equity awards.
- 2022-04-01: Start of Fiscal Year 2023 — Beginning of the period for which Stephanie Linnartz and Colin Browne received equity awards, and Patrik Frisk continued to receive awards.
- 2020-01-01: Start of Calendar Year 2020 — Marks the beginning of the earliest period for which Patrik Frisk's equity awards are detailed in the filing.
Glossary
- DEF 14A
- A proxy statement filed by public companies with the SEC detailing information about the annual meeting of shareholders, including executive compensation, corporate governance, and voting matters. (This document is the primary source of information regarding executive compensation and governance practices at Under Armour for the specified fiscal year.)
- Named Executive Officers (NEOs)
- The top executive officers of a company, typically including the CEO, CFO, and the next three highest-paid executive officers, whose compensation is disclosed in detail in proxy statements. (The filing focuses on the compensation of these key individuals, including Stephanie Linnartz and Kevin Plank, to provide transparency to shareholders.)
- Equity Awards
- Forms of compensation that give executives the right to receive company stock or stock options, often tied to performance metrics and vesting schedules. (Under Armour utilizes equity awards as a significant component of its executive compensation strategy to align management interests with long-term shareholder value.)
- Fiscal Year End (0331)
- The last day of a company's accounting period, which for Under Armour is March 31st. (This date defines the period covered by the financial and compensation data presented in the DEF 14A filing.)
- PEO
- Principal Executive Officer, referring to the highest-ranking executive, typically the CEO. (The filing distinguishes compensation elements for PEOs like Kevin Plank and Stephanie Linnartz.)
- Non-PEO NEO
- Named Executive Officers who are not the Principal Executive Officer. (This category includes other key executives whose compensation is also detailed in the filing.)
- CIK
- Central Index Key, a unique identifier assigned to each entity that files with the SEC. (The CIK (0001336917) uniquely identifies Under Armour in its SEC filings.)
Year-Over-Year Comparison
This DEF 14A filing focuses on executive compensation for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, and details changes in leadership, notably Kevin Plank's return as CEO. Unlike filings that might focus on revenue or net income, this document emphasizes equity awards granted to named executive officers across several fiscal years, including 2020 through 2025. The primary comparison point would be the previous year's proxy statement, which would detail compensation for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, and highlight differences in award structures and recipient leadership.
Filing Details
This Form DEF 14A (Form DEF 14A) was filed with the SEC on June 26, 2025 by Kevin Plank regarding Under Armour, Inc. (UA).