NBC News correspondent and MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle reported on and boosted Under Armour shoes on the air, without disclosing to viewers that she had an existing relationship with the sports apparel company's CEO and, according to individuals at the company, coordinated with Under Armour to defend the shoes.
Ruhle and Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank have developed "close ties" in recent years, with Plank treating Ruhle to trips on his private jet and Ruhle advising Plank on business matters, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
Under Armour employees found the arrangement "problematic" and believed Ruhle and Plank were in a romantic relationship, according to individuals familiar with the matter. The Under Armour board also uncovered "emails that showed an intimate relationship between them," those people said, but the company told the Wall Street Journal the two were "friends." Both Ruhle and Plank are married.
In June 2016, the company released Steph Curry-branded sneakers that were universally roasted as ugly and boring. Under Armour employees were told not to address criticism because Ruhle told the company "she would step in and discuss the shoes on TV," WSJ reports.
Sure enough, archived video of Ruhle's appearance on NBC's "Today" that weekend shows she defended the shoes without disclosing her and Plank's relationship—business, friendship, or otherwise—or revealing that she coordinated with Under Armour.
"I really like this shoe," Ruhle told co-host Craig Melvin.
Ruhle acknowledged the harsh nicknames for the shoes, but responded that "they look an awful lot like a classic Nike or a New Balance. That's a mass market shoe."
She argued that the backlash to the white shoe was just due to people being more familiar with the sleek black sneakers Curry wore on the basketball court. "This, just in time for Father's Day, dads!" she said, holding the shoes and looking into the camera.
Ruhle also defended the sneakers on social media, saying she planned to buy a pair for her own father.
I dig em' - just a classic trainer- not a hot hoops shoe -Frank Ruhle getting a pair 4 #fathersday #ChefCurry https://t.co/lIVPkMtsyW
— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) June 11, 2016
And just like that...we remember the bottom line- @StephenCurry30 #manofthepeople #dadshoe @UnderArmour https://t.co/P2c3HMehPR
— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) June 10, 2016
Ruhle would continue to hawk Under Armour products and feel-good PR campaigns at least a dozen times throughout the next two years, never disclosing her reported relationship or role as an advisor.
They are the best- @UnderArmour Coast shoes - look good enough for moms - feel good enough for boys https://t.co/h4hviL6Ro5
— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) February 4, 2017
Thx @styleofsport for throwing down in the dark with me & @SHADOWBOXNY @thrive @UnderArmour @AKTINMOTION @SLTnyc https://t.co/T5pCnTsmYg pic.twitter.com/SMTPOrMtHS
— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) February 14, 2017
WOW! @MichaelPhelps & his @UnderArmour Campain inspired @agar_john & now he is #InspiringAmerica @NBCNightlyNews https://t.co/LEC5xbzWKj
— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) April 17, 2017
These puppies?? @UnderArmour ....guess what we are doing #topsecret #velshiruhle pic.twitter.com/2QRIXc9O2m
— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) June 1, 2017
Incredible brand story... & started with an SBA loan @UnderArmour https://t.co/HF4CqO9zEy
— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) June 25, 2017
My glasses? @underarmour frames! Thanks
— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) August 5, 2017
This moment..This @SloaneStephens win serves up the kind of inspiration we are in desperate need of. #sportschangetheworld @UnderArmour https://t.co/KkxTLv0YEr
— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) September 10, 2017
It's not just the athletes stepping in & standing up for free speech... now comes the brands. Thank you @UnderArmour https://t.co/p3juXjMe5O
— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) September 23, 2017
Well @warriors may be @NicolleDWallace’s home town team... but I plan to take buckets of credit for the court magic I delivered to @StephenCurry30
& my house boasts more of his sneaks than an @UnderArmour store https://t.co/bFAhSRGedZ— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) June 1, 2018
There’s always good news somewhere!
When 9 y/o @warriors fan Riley went online to buy a pair of Curry 5's, she noticed the shoes weren't available under the Girls tab on @UnderArmour site.
So she wrote to @StephenCurry30 to change that.#GoodNewsRUHLEShttps://t.co/QED5QIYYlY
— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) November 30, 2018
MSNBC did not respond to a request for comment.