
The CEO of Baltimore-based sports apparel company Under Armour is responding to criticism he received after calling President Donald Trump 'an asset to the country.'

Kevin Plank wrote an open letter to Baltimore published as a full-page advertisement in The Baltimore Sun Wednesday to say that his comments did not 'accurately reflect my intent'.

He listed the values he says the company holds dear which included 'jobs creation, entrepreneurship and opportunity', but said it did not align itself with President Trump's travel ban which it 'publicly opposes'.

Plank was lambasted for celebrating the president's 'pro-business' approach last week during a CNBC interview.

He said of the president: 'I think he's highly passionate. To have such a pro-business president is something that is a real asset for the country. People can really grab that opportunity.'

Three celebrities the company sponsors - basketball star Stephen Curry, actor Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and ballerina Misty Copeland - quickly voiced their concerns about his comments afterwards.

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Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank (left) took out a full page ad in the Baltimore Sun on Wednesday to clarify his remark that Trump (Right) is an 'asset' to the country

In the ad (pictured above), Plank wrote that his choice of words during an interview with CNBC last week 'did not accurately reflect my intent' and that he wanted to 'clarity to our hometown exactly the values to which Under Armour and I stand'

In the ad on Wednesday, he sought to correct the outrage by mapping out the company's priorities.

'We are always mindful of the responsibility that we have to those who choose our Brand, especially the young people who represent the bold and bright future of a diverse and inclusive America.

'While we will continue to engage with government to protect our teammates, our company and our city, I can promise you that we will never compromise these values.

'We will continue to stand for equality, diversity and opportunity for all. In a time of division, we aspire to be a force of unity, growth and optimism for our city and our country. I hope we will always make Baltimore proud,' the ad read in part,' it said.

'An asset': Plank praised the president for being 'passionate about business' which he said could be a 'real asset' to the country

Plank bought the ad after three high-profile company sponsors - Steph Curry (left), Misty Copeland (center) and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson - issued statements saying they disagreed with his sentiments

Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry was the first Under Armour-sponsored athlete to speak out last week following his comments about Trump, saying just one day later:''I agree with that description - if you remove the "et" from asset.'

Plank - who has contributed to a Trump-led business think-tank - spoke to Curry personally to say he was only commenting the President's passion for business, and that he doesn't support any of his more controversial policies.

Fellow Under Armour brand ambassadors Misty Copeland and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson followed suit with statements of their own.

Both Copeland (a ballerina) and Johnson (an actor) released statements on their Instagram accounts in which they disavowed Plank’s comments and stressed their belief in ‘diversity and inclusion.’

‘I have always appreciated the great support and platform that Under Armour has given me to represent my community, gender, and career on the world stage,’ Copeland wrote on her Instagram page.

‘However, I strongly disagree with Kevin Plank's recent comments in support of Trump as recently reported.

‘Those of you who have supported and followed my career know that the one topic I've never backed away from speaking openly about is the importance of diversity and inclusion,' she said.

Johnson echoed similar sentiments.

‘Those of you who have supported and followed my career know that the one topic I've never backed away from speaking openly about is the importance of diversity and inclusion,’ Copeland, a professional ballerina, wrote

'I appreciate and welcome the feedback from people who disagree (and agree) with Kevin Plank's words on CNBC, but these are neither my words, nor my beliefs,’ Johnson, the former wrestler-turned-actor, wrote on his Instagram page (above)

'I appreciate and welcome the feedback from people who disagree (and agree) with Kevin Plank's words on CNBC, but these are neither my words, nor my beliefs,’ the former wrestler-turned-actor wrote.

‘His words were divisive and lacking in perspective. Inadvertently creating a situation where the personal political opinions of UA’s partners and its employees were overshadowed by the comments of its CEO,' Johnson added.

Curry reportedly receives $4million annually from Under Armour. He also has an equity stake in the company, according to Yahoo!.

Copeland also signed a lucrative deal with the sporting goods brand, but the terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Copeland has said that she receives more money from Under Armour than she does as a professional ballerina, which means that her contract is in the six-figure range.

Terms of Johnson’s endorsement deal with Under Armour have also not been disclosed.