Stephen Curry Calls Trump an Ass, Questions Under Armour Partnership
Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry has no time for President Donald Trump’s rhetoric.
“I agree with that description,” Curry said, “If you remove the ‘et,” when asked about Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank’s comments calling President Trump a “real asset,” in an interview with CNBC. He cited the president’s pledge to bring jobs back to America.
Last month, Plank said in a speech that, “We should be bringing jobs back, not just to America, but tightening supply chains all over the world. We have the ability to do it better. It’s time for all of us to make an investment.”
Curry, who has a shoe endorsement deal with Under Armour through 2024, further questioned Plank’s involvement with President Trump’s polarizing rhetoric in an article with the San Jose Mercury News.
“Are we promoting change?” Curry asked. “Are we doing things that are going to look out for everybody? And not being so self-serving that it’s only about making money, selling shoes, doing this and that. That’s not the priority. It’s about changing lives. I think we can continue to do that.”
Curry went on to describe the platform he has as a high-profile athlete who discusses polarizing issues. He also hinted that he had no problem leaving Under Armour due their association with President Trump.
“I feel like if you know who I am, you know what I stand for, and I can live with that,” Curry said. “I feel when you see my name, when you see people wearing my stuff, when you see anybody attached to me, that they share that same passion for people that I do. And that’s what I’ve been really serious about using this platform to share. I don’t get in people’s faces and out in the streets with a bullhorn doing it that way. But every opportunity I have to show love, to show respect, to show just that positivity, I feel like that’s my job and that’s what I stand for.”
The backlash prompted Under Armour to release a statement:
“We have teammates from different religions, races, nationalities, genders and sexual orientations; different ages, life experiences and opinions. This is the core of our company. 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.”
After the Warriors win against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, Curry didn’t back down from his statements.
“I’d rather not be in that position obviously, but at the end of the day when you need to speak for yourself and make it known how you feel, you don’t shy away from those opportunities,” he added. “[I was] making sure I needed to say, what I needed to say.”
Curry’s statement is just the latest sign of dissent from professional athletes. Last November, after the election, there was talk about whether or not future NBA champions would visit a Trump White House, and Curry’s coach, Steve Kerr (along with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich) has been critical of the new president. Recently, members of the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots said they wouldn’t be making the ceremonial visit to the White House.