Under Armour Logo PNG
To ensure recognition of Under Armor’s sports products, the company stylized its logo’s monogram. Because it resulted from a mistake, everyone liked the name. The bright, noticeable emblem drove success.
Kevin Plank founded “Under Armour” in 1996, a former University of Maryland football player frustrated with heavy, sweat-soaked cotton shirts. He developed a tight synthetic T-shirt that wicks moisture and began selling it from his grandmother’s basement, using about $17,000 in savings.
Early sales came directly from athletes. A key order arrived from the University of Georgia, followed by contracts with NFL teams by 1999, which increased visibility in professional sports. That same year, product placement in the film “Any Given Sunday” drew unexpected attention.
By the early 2000s, the company focused on compression apparel, then expanded in 2003 with HeatGear and ColdGear to cover different training conditions. This shift helped it grow beyond a narrow product niche.
In 2005, “Under Armour” went public on the New York Stock Exchange, with shares rising sharply on the first day. In 2006, it entered the footwear market and began competing directly with Nike and Adidas.
A major step came in 2013 when the company signed Stephen Curry from the Golden State Warriors. By 2015, after his MVP season, the Curry line became central to the brand’s basketball segment.
In 2015, the company invested about $710 million in digital platforms such as MapMyFitness, MyFitnessPal, and Endomondo, aiming to combine apparel with data-driven training, though it later sold these assets.
Meaning and History
The phrase “Under Armor” was originally embossed on the emblem. It appeared entirely by chance. Kevin Plank wanted to name his brand “Body Armor” and mentioned it to his brother Bill. However, Bill misunderstood and thought it was Under Armor. They both liked that version, so they kept it. The only change was the spelling: the abbreviated American suffix -or was replaced with the British -our in the second word. They chose this because the name included a toll-free number.
The company owes its success to its bright, distinctive logo. In 1996, Jeff George, a defensive end for the Oakland Raiders, appeared on the front page of USA Today in a trademark turtleneck bearing the “Under Armour” logo. The emblem was immediately noticed. After that, Kevin Plank’s football equipment began to be ordered in large numbers. Of course, aesthetics matter too, but the trademark is a specific design feature.
The logo’s design has changed several times.
What is Under Armour?
This brand creates sportswear, footwear, and accessories using modern technologies. Its products include compression clothing, thermal underwear, training shoes, and specialized lines for different weather conditions. Notable developments include hot- and cold-weather clothing and innovative running shoes. The brand is focused on athletes and active-lifestyle enthusiasts, offering gear that helps them achieve better results.
1996 – 1997
In 1996, the logo lines became smoother and more elongated.
1997 – 1998
In 1997, the lines were shortened because the logo was placed inside an ellipse.
1998 – 1999
In 1998, the semicircles’ centers narrowed, and the edges thickened noticeably.
1999 – 2005
In 1999, the brand symbol was shown without the borders that had previously surrounded it. Under the symbol appeared the inscription “UNDER ARMOR,” and below it, a second inscription, “Performance Apparel.”
2005 – today
In 2005, the inscription “Performance Apparel” was removed. The trademark has remained in this form to this day.
Font and Colors
The brand’s graphic symbol consists of two semicircles. They mirror each other and intersect at two points. The first figure points upward and forms the letter “U.” The second points downward and forms the letter “A.” Both elements form a unique monogram, somewhat reminiscent of the inverted Chanel logo.
The company’s custom-designed font has been used since 1997. The inscription “Under Armor” uses this font. The inscription sits beneath the original brand symbol. All letters are uppercase, strict, and sans-serif. The typography combines both sharp angles and smoothed edges. This suggests the clothing can look aggressive while still being comfortable to wear. The horizontal strokes of “D,” “E,” “R,” and “A” are short; on the left, they don’t reach the vertical lines.
FAQ
What does the Under Armour logo mean?
The “Under Armour” logo is a monogram of the letters “U” and “A.” It represents the company and has no additional meaning.
Is the Under Armour logo copyrighted?
The “Under Armor” logo is copyrighted. The company even sued Tingfeilong Sporting Goods Co., Ltd. and won.
Why is Under Armour spelled with AU?
The word “Armour” in the company’s name is spelled in the British manner (with the letter “U”) because its creator decided the phone number 888-4ARMOR looked better than 888-44ARMOR. It was merely an attempt to obtain a nice toll-free number.
Has Under Armour changed its logo?
“Under Armour” changed its logo several times before adopting its modern look in 2005.