Under Armour Inc. (NYSE: UA) and Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) are two leading sportswear companies in the world but with distinctively different product design approaches that reflect their mission statements with unique focuses. Under Armour's mission is "to make all athletes better through passion, design and the relentless pursuit of innovation" and as such, improving athletes' performance is at the core of Under Armour's business, a reason why the company refers to its sportswear as performance apparel, performance footwear, etc.

Nike's mission is to "bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world," which also notes "if you have a body, you are an athlete." Because of its desire for broader appeal, Nike sees its products simply as athletic apparel or athletic footwear, etc., while also offering sports-inspired lifestyle sportswear. Different product and design focuses by Under Armour and Nike require the two companies' business models fit their respective tasks. The two companies' own histories may have also helped shape what they have become. But in the end, financial performance is always a fair metric to score a company's business. Having grown very quickly since at least 2011, Under Armour may have a chance to be as big as Nike one day.

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