[ad_1]
According to a report, Under Armor CEO Kevin Plank had a close relationship with MSNBC presenter Stephanie Ruhle – and sought his business advice from his own management team.
Employees of the sportswear giant were uncomfortable with their relationships, according to the Wall Street Journal, which reported that the two men traveled with other staff members in a jet plane. Private Gulfstream that he rents to the Baltimore Company.
Ruhle's involvement in Under Armor was a problem, said several officials and former leaders. Employees did not know how to handle her comments, as many thought she was in love with Plank. Both are married.
According to Mr. Plank, 46, Plank took advice from Ruhle, 43, a former chief financial officer, rather than management on how to deal with negative consumer reactions to a version of the star's sneakers. basketball, Stephen Curry, in 2016.
She also told him how he should engage with President Trump in 2017 – suggestions against some of the leaders who urged the CEO to keep his distance, according to the newspaper.
Plank and other business leaders left the president's manufacturing board that year after Trump failed to convict white nationalists in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Under Armor said that private plane trips – which he rents for $ 166,667 a month – are at the discretion of Plank, who often takes friends, relatives or athletes on a business trip.
Relations between Plank and Ruhle were brought to the attention of Under Armor's board of directors last year, after the company discovered emails revealing close ties between them, some people told the newspaper.
When the board asked Plank what the nature of the relationship was and if the company's assets were used, he explained to the directors that this was a private matter and that no money from the society was spent, they said.
Ruhle and Plank declined to comment in the Journal and the company's board did not respond to a list of questions sent last month.
Under Armor representative Kelley McCormick said the board's discussions were confidential.
"Mr. Plank and Ms. Ruhle are friends," she said. "There are clear lines between the company and Mr. Plank's private interests, and he is accountable to the board of directors. . "
McCormick added, "The idea that Mr. Plank only listens to an individual is absurd."
Plank has a lot of friends who give advice, she added, but the management team makes its own decisions.
[ad_2]
Source link