Under Armour Senior VP/Footwear PETER RUPPE is leaving, marking the "latest in a series of senior executive departures as the sportswear company struggles with slowing sales of its apparel and sneakers," according to Sara Germano of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. A UA spokesperson confirmed that Ruppe was leaving. He "will be succeeded" by RYAN DREW, who previously served as GM of UA's basketball division. Ruppe, who "spent two decades at Nike" before joining UA, "declined to comment." Germano wrote the departure of Ruppe "follows other high-profile exits in recent weeks." Under Armour Strategic Advisor KIP FULKS reportedly is on sabbatical, while CMO ANDY DONKIN and Senior VP and GM/Women's & Youth PAM CATLETT have left since October (WSJ.com, 11/21). In Baltimore, Lorraine Mirabella notes UA's recent management shakeup has "come amid restructuring and the June hiring" of President & COO PATRIK FRISK. Under Armour in August said that it was cutting about 280 jobs -- 2% of its global workforce -- as "part of a restructuring to adapt to changes in the market" (Baltimore SUN, 11/22).
