Under Armour was established in 1996. Founder Kevin Plank launched the company that year from his grandmother's basement in Washington, D.C., revolutionizing athletic wear with moisture-wicking fabrics.

Founding Story

Kevin Plank, a 24-year-old former University of Maryland football captain, grew frustrated with sweat-soaked cotton T-shirts during practices. He prototyped a synthetic, form-fitting shirt that stayed dry, bootstrapping the venture with $17,000 from savings and credit cards. By late 1996, he secured his first major sale to Georgia Tech for $17,000, validating the performance apparel concept.

Key Early Milestones

  • 1996 : Company founded; first team sale to Georgia Tech establishes market fit for compression gear.
  • 1998 : Headquarters relocates to Baltimore, Maryland, supporting rapid growth.
  • 1999 : Featured in film Any Given Sunday , boosting visibility through Jamie Foxx and NFL stars.

These steps transformed a trunk-sale operation into a rival for Nike and Adidas, emphasizing innovation in HeatGear and ColdGear lines.

Evolution and Impact

Under Armour went public in 2005 (NYSE: UA/UAA), expanding into footwear, accessories, and digital fitness apps like MapMyFitness. Despite challenges like 2017 losses and 2024 revenue dips to $5.7 billion, founder Plank's CEO return signals refocus on core strengths. The brand's mission—"make all athletes better"—drives global sales via wholesale, DTC, and athlete endorsements.

Multiple Perspectives

Sources consistently pinpoint 1996, though one outlier mentions 1995—likely a pre-prototype reference. Forums like Reddit discuss branding quirks, such as logo origins, but affirm the timeline. Investors note its disruptive rise amid competition.

TL;DR : Under Armour launched in 1996 by Kevin Plank, pioneering dry-fit athletic gear from a D.C. basement.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.