NBA: Curry hints split with Under Armour after CEO praises Trump

Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors warms up in his trademark Under Armour shoes prior to a game in this May 18, 2016, file photo in Oakland, California. Curry said he wasn’t ruling out separating with his sponsor AFP

LOS ANGELES, United States — NBA superstar Stephen Curry stepped gamely into the political fray on Wednesday, responding to Under Armour apparel company chief Kevin Plank’s description of US President Donald Trump as a “real asset” to the country.

“I agree with that description, if you remove the ‘et’ from asset,” Curry told the Mercury News when asked about the comments from Plank.

Curry is the key endorser of Under Armour’s line of basketball gear. He’s under contract with the firm through 2024, and acknowledged he was surprised to hear Plank’s comment, made in an interview this week with CNBC.

Curry, who endorsed Hillary Clinton in the bitter US presidential election, told the Mercury News he had spoken to “countless people” at Under Armour.

He said he was reassured by a statement released by Plank on Wednesday, clarifying the remarks in which he said having “such a pro-business president is something that is a real asset for the country”.

In the statement, Plank said Under Armour has long been committed to supporting American jobs and manufacturing, but stressed the Baltimore-based firm was committed to diversity.

“We have teammates from different religions, races, nationality, genders and sexual orientations; different ages, life experiences and opinions,” the statement said. “This is the core of our company.”

Curry said he wouldn’t rule out a departure from the company that manufactures his signature basketball shoe.

“If I can say the leadership is not in line with my core values, then there is no amount of money, there is no platform I wouldn’t jump off if it wasn’t in line with who I am,” he said.

“So that’s a decision I will make every single day when I wake up.” CBB