Under Armour's 'Duck Dynasty' Dilemma
Thursday, December 19, 2013
(December 19,2013)Phil Robertson, one of the stars of the top-rated "Duck Dynasty" show, has been suspended from the series. What does this mean for Under Armour's ties to the family?
Apparel from Baltimore's Under Armour features prominently on two TV shows, "Duck Dynasty" and "Buck Commander." Credit: Buck Commander website
Baltimore-based Under Armour – which provides much of the camouflage clothing worn by the stars of the “Duck Dynasty”reality TV show – has a dilemma.
One of the show’s stars, family patriarch Phil Robertson, was suspended following hisanti-gay remarks in GQ magazine, reports theBaltimore Business Journal, and the question remains what he will wear if he ever reappears on air.
Under Armour is the title sponsor of a “Duck Dynasty” spinoff show, “Buck Commander,” the Business Journal says.
Robertson founded Duck Commander Inc., a multimillion-dollar duck call company. In its fourth season, “Duck Dynasty” follows Robertson’s family duck hunting through the backwoods of Louisiana, as well as the workings of the family business.
In an interview in the January issue of GQ, Robertson says homosexuality is a sin and puts it in the same category as bestiality and promiscuity,according to CNN. Asked what, in his mind, is sinful, Robertson replied: "Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men."
Buck Commander on the Outdoor Channel stars Robertson’s son, Willie, the CEO of Duck Commander, who currently appears in an Under Armour ad for the company’s infrared winter gear, says the Business Journal.
Under Armour was founded by Maryland native Kevin Plank.
