Under Armour's Attack on Nike | Signature Sneakers | 3

Under Armour's Attack on Nike | Signature Sneakers | 3

Author: Audible March 26, 2026 Duration: 41:52
When Michael Jordan signed with an upstart running shoe company called Nike in the 1980s, it revolutionized the signature sneaker landscape and made Nike the brand to beat. Under Armour made a similar play signing Steph Curry in 2013. But it didn’t pan out quite the way they hoped. Still, nowadays it seems like every star athlete needs a signature line. Tim Newcomb is a sneaker and sports tech reporter whose work has appeared in Forbes, Sports Illustrated, Esquire and more. He's breaking down the rise of the signature shoe from Chuck Taylors in the 1920s to Kobe Bryant’s and Roger Federer’s signature kicks. We’ll also look at some of the new players in the sneaker game, and where Under Armour goes from here.  Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Business Wars ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Behind every product you use and every brand you recognize, there's a hidden history of rivalry and strategic gambles. Business Wars, from Audible, pulls back the curtain on these epic corporate clashes that quietly define our daily lives. It’s not just about quarterly earnings; it’s a deep narrative exploration where ambition, innovation, and sometimes sheer ego collide. Hosted by David Brown, whose experience as a former Marketplace anchor brings a seasoned clarity to complex stories, each series within this podcast dissects a famous business feud. You’ll hear the tense boardroom decisions, the disruptive marketing campaigns, and the personal rivalries that pushed companies like Nike and Adidas or Netflix and HBO to the brink. The storytelling goes beyond the official press releases to uncover the unauthorized maneuvers and human dramas that led to monumental triumphs or stunning downfalls. By weaving together elements of history, management theory, and pure suspense, this series reveals how these battles for your wallet and attention ultimately shape the cultural and commercial landscape we all navigate. Tune in for a compelling chronicle of what it really takes to win, or lose, in the high-stakes arena of modern business.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Business Wars
Podcast Episodes
The Buy Now Pay Later Takeover | Fake Money | 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:36
In the 2010s, FinTech companies emerged offering a Buy Now, Pay Later service that made financing available, at a time when trust in big banks was low. But as dependence on these apps grows, consumers are starting to rea…
The Buy Now Pay Later Takeover | Maxing Out | 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:58
Klarna’s popularity in the United States soars as the Covid-19 pandemic closes brick-and-mortar stores and online shopping surges. But Klarna also has a fresh wave of competitors. And as consumers find themselves sucked…
The Buy Now Pay Later Takeover | No Interest | 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:34
In the early 2000s, Sebastian Siemiatkowski identified a gap in Europe’s burgeoning ecommerce market — consumers were hesitant to buy products sight unseen. Siemiatkowski’s new company would front the bill and give consu…
CrowdStrike: All Systems Down | Digital Dominos | 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:19
When CrowdStrike's faulty software update shuts down airports, hospitals and TV networks around the globe, they face intense backlash from the public. The world is forced to reckon with a terrifying new reality. As our s…
CrowdStrike: All Systems Down | Guarding the Cloud | 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:38
In 2011, CrowdStrike launched with an innovative vision: using cloud-based software to provide cybersecurity. They attracted big clients, including Fortune 500 companies and critical government agencies. And along the wa…
Waymo and the Rise of the Robotaxis | Driving Too Fast | 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:57
When the demands of war ignite a race to build autonomous cars, Google invests billions in the hope of owning the driverless future of transportation. But can it really turn this technological challenge into a viable bus…
Waymo and the Rise of the Robotaxis | Test Drive | 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:56
Ever wondered what it’s like to ride in a Waymo? David and his daughter headed to downtown Austin to take their first trip in a driverless taxi. Together, they documented all the ups, downs, twists and turns. Later, auth…
Waymo and the Rise of the Robotaxis | To Build a Driver | 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:04
When the demands of war ignite a race to build autonomous cars, Google invests billions in the hope of owning the driverless future of transportation. But can it really turn this technological challenge into a viable bus…
Beyond Meat vs Impossible Burger | We've Got Beef | 5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:10
This fall, Beyond Meat became a meme stock, surging …and then falling right back down. For years, alternative meat companies Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods have struggled to win over customers en masse. Deena Shanker o…
ENCORE: Beyond Meat vs Impossible Burger | Break from the Herd | 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:17
Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger boomed in the 2010s, but changing tastes have turned their sizzle into a fizzle. And as they continue to slide deeper into debt, these companies have struggled to get back on top of the…