Under Armour Apologizes for T-Shirt Design After Social Media Firestorm

Under Armour has pulled and apologized for one of its T-shirt designs after it blew up on social media, and not in a good way. The “Band of Ballers” design, which depicts the silhouettes of three men erecting a basketball hoop in a fashion akin to the famous WWII flag-raising at Iwo Jima, attracted no shortage of criticism on social media, with most social media users condemning the design for its appropriation of such a historically and symbolically charged image. Under Armour has since taken to Twitter to apologize to its followers, in the tweets below.

Under Armour has the utmost respect and admiration for active duty service men and women and veterans who have served our country. (1/3)

— Under Armour (@UnderArmour) May 16, 2015

We deeply regret and apologize the release of a shirt that is not reflective of our commitment to support & honor our country’s heroes (2/3) — Under Armour (@UnderArmour) May 16, 2015

We have taken the necessary steps to remove this shirt, and any related shirts, from all retail and ensure this doesn’t happen again. (3/3)

— Under Armour (@UnderArmour) May 16, 2015

Some of the criticism from Twitter users:

@UnderArmour tellin every vet I know to boycott you. How dare you compare basketball to Iwo Jima. #UnderArmour pic.twitter.com/KeipFqbkwu

— Bsizz (@eBSIZZ) May 16, 2015

@UnderArmour love your products.Gotta say the band of ballers shirt should not be sold.Disrespectful to all military past present and future

— Matt Caraballo (@caraballo_matt) May 16, 2015

Amazing disrespectful stupidity of #UnderArmour in making basketball t-shirt based on iconic flagraising on Iwo Jima.

— Jim Bessman (@JimBessman) May 18, 2015