NBC’s Stephanie Ruhle Hawked Under Armour Shoes on Air Without Disclosing Relationship with CEO

NBC’s Stephanie Ruhle Hawked Under Armour Shoes on Air Without Disclosing Relationship With CEO (The Washington Free Beacon)

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.