Michael Phelps Suspended - Loses Endorsement

[Broncos Mtnman]

OK, please don't spam this thread with talk about drugs that violate the COC. I just wanted to update the situation....

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Michael Phelps Suspended From Swim Competitions; Kellogg Nixes Sponsorship

Thursday, February 05, 2009
Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. — Michael Phelps has been suspended from competition for three months by USA Swimming, the latest fallout from a photo that showed the Olympic great inhaling from a marijuana pipe.

The sport's national governing body also cut off its financial support to Phelps for the same three-month period, effective Thursday.

"This is not a situation where any anti-doping rule was violated, but we decided to send a strong message to Michael because he disappointed so many people, particularly the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and a hero," the federation said in a statement.

"Michael has voluntarily accepted this reprimand and has committed to earn back our trust."

Also on Thursday, Kellogg Co. said it will drop Phelps' endorsement deal.

Most of his major sponsors, such as Visa Inc., Speedo, luxury Swiss watchmaker Omega and sports beverage PureSport's maker Human Performance Labs, stood by the athlete following the news, even if they didn't condone his behavior.

But Battle Creek, Mich.-based cereal and snack maker Kellogg said Phelps's behavior is "not consistent with the image of Kellogg."

Phelps's agent was not immediately available to comment.

Kellogg had contracts with Phelps and other Olympic athletes to support its association with the U.S. Olympic team. The company said in a statement that it will not renew its contract with Phelps, which expires at the end of February.

The company did not renew its deal with the US Olympic Team, which expired in December.

Kellogg would not disclose the value of its deal with Phelps.

But experts have said that after Phelps won eight gold medals, he scored millions in endorsement deals, including the one that placed him on boxes of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes and Corn Flakes boxes.

[Requiem / The Dagda]

Dear Michael, you are still awesome.

[Dreadnought]

Dear Michael, you are still awesome.

Maybe so, but a little lighter in the pockets now. I think he'll survive.

[gnomeflinger]

Sucks to be him.

[Thnikkaman]

You know, its funny what one photo will do to a guys reputation.

[OB]

when is america gonna get past this - its ridiculous - he smoked a little weed - how does that take away from who he is and what he has done - he didnt take steroids to help him win - to me that is way way way worse - YOU CHEATED - smoking pot doesnt make you a cheater - in fact it doesnt change who u r in any way

[turftoad]

when is america gonna get past this - its ridiculous - he smoked a little weed - how does that take away from who he is and what he has done - he didnt take steroids to help him win - to me that is way way way worse - YOU CHEATED - smoking pot doesnt make you a cheater - in fact it doesnt change who u r in any way

I don't have a problem with smoking a little weed. However, he's a media figure, he shoulda known better. Do it behind closed doors.

It IS still against the law. Period.

[OB]

I don't have a problem with smoking a little weed. However, he's a media figure, he shoulda known better. Do it behind closed doors.

It IS still against the law. Period.

He was at a party and prolly trusted the people there - whoever took the pic needs to get their ass beat IMHO

Its not like he was walking down the street smoking a joint

[turftoad]

He was at a party and prolly trusted the people there - whoever took the pic needs to get their ass beat IMHO

Its not like he was walking down the street smoking a joint

I guess he needs to be more careful on who he trusts.

Money does funny stuff to people and I'm sure the picture taker got few bucks for the pic.

[OB]

Oh im sure the basturd did :mad:

Kinda lame to try to ruin someones life for a few bucks :tsk:

[Dreadnought]

Oh im sure the basturd did :mad:

Kinda lame to try to ruin someones life for a few bucks :tsk:

Well, U29 had his "What would you do for Billion Dollars" thread. I'm guessing this guys price tag was a lot lower than that.

[broncophan]

I don't have a problem with smoking a little weed. However, he's a media figure, he shoulda known better. Do it behind closed doors.

It IS still against the law. Period.

Yea.....he should have known better.

I would imagine that he has smoked more than "a little" weed. I doubt that was his first time or anything......and it makes me wonder why in the hell he would associate with pot heads and put himself in that kind of situation in the first place.........:confused:

3 months suspension, and losing a few endorsements?????........not a big deal imo...

[BeefStew25]

This is not enough. I want my pound of flesh.

[Buff]

I say we lynch him.

[atwater27]

Oh im sure the basturd did :mad:

Kinda lame to try to ruin someones life for a few bucks :tsk:

He ruined his own life.

[Hobe]

This is not enough. I want my pound of flesh.


Calm dawn Hannibal!

What Mike needs to do is step back and reassess everything that he has achieved and has happened to him in the last few months. Probably take one or two of the millions he has earned so far and spend a few weeks at the Betty Ford clinic for wealthy off indulgers. Then have a press conference to express his deep sorry at making poor decisions and betraying, ah ya know some bodies trust. Then rededicate himself to his sport.

Later, he should hire staff to ensure that absolutely no one pulls out a cell phone when he is sucking on a bong!

Come on Mike, you’re a celebrity, get your shit together.

[OB]

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/29125081/

I only want to say this is ridiculous - I will not discuss MJ in any way but I would like to discuss the fact that this sheriffs office is going off the charts on this - this is insane - if they arrest him they will have to arrest every single person on the internet that has posted something illegal - and lets face it that would be impossible - heck the hip hop industry would all be in jail and out of business

I hope the DA uses his/her brain and calls this bogus head hunt off -

[MrsBJ]

I will say that this has opened a really good dialog for me with my teenage daughter. While I agree that smoking a little pot is not that big of a deal (drinking is probably worse) - the fact is that it is against the law - and if you are caught, there are real world consequences. It really got to my daughter when I told her a drug conviction (even for pot) would automatically bar her from getting many of the jobs she is really interested in - especially government/politics.

That being said - I do feel a little sorry for the guy!

[OB]

I will say that this has opened a really good dialog for me with my teenage daughter. While I agree that smoking a little pot is not that big of a deal (drinking is probably worse) - the fact is that it is against the law - and if you are caught, there are real world consequences. It really got to my daughter when I told her a drug conviction (even for pot) would automatically bar her from getting many of the jobs she is really interested in - especially government/politics.

That being said - I do feel a little sorry for the guy!

Excellent point Mrs Joe!!!

hopefully a lot of parents will be as smart as you and talk to their kids cause this is certainly a great example

But im just saying to take the time and effort of a police dept to try and prosecute this is insane - working for a def. attorney i have seen people do sooo much more than take a bong hit and get a slap on the wrist - so my big thing is why are they wasting their time and their tax payers money on this crusade

[Benetto]

The owner of the bong tried to sell the thing on Ebay for 100,000.00 dollars...Police tracked him down and busted his ass. :D

[frauschieze]

The owner of the bong tried to sell the thing on Ebay for 100,000.00 dollars...Police tracked him down and busted his ass. :D

Dumb ass! :laugh:

[Benetto]

Dumb ass! :laugh:


Dude is a ****** idiot...I hope the school he attends drops him, and it ruins his life...He was trying to gain from someone else loss...SOB..:tsk:

[OB]

Dude is a ****** idiot...I hope the school he attends drops him, and it ruins his life...He was trying to gain from someone else loss...SOB..:tsk:

Are they going to arrest him for possession of paraphernalia??? They can also arrest him for possession of MJ if any resin is in the bong (at least they can in OK) not sure about the other states

Only fair right - i mean the police say they dont want to treat MP different (although they are by doing this witch hunt) so if thats the case they need to arrest this kid too

[Benetto]

Are they going to arrest him for possession of paraphernalia??? They can also arrest him for possession of MJ if any resin is in the bong (at least they can in OK) not sure about the other states

Only fair right - i mean the police say they dont want to treat MP different (although they are by doing this witch hunt) so if thats the case they need to arrest this kid too

They tracked him down, and obviously had enough probable cause to do a full blown search of the place...I'm sure you know he had a lot to hide...

[Poet]

Jared Allen is a DUI king, no one really cared after awhile.
No one remembers Ahman Green's domestic abuse charges.
The same for Jason Kidd.
Kobe's rape charges are never talked about.

Give this six months and it will be old news that no one cares about.

[frauschieze]

Jared Allen is a DUI king, no one really cared after awhile.
No one remembers Ahman Green's domestic abuse charges.
The same for Jason Kidd.
Kobe's rape charges are never talked about.

Give this six months and it will be old news that no one cares about.

Have you met my friend, Bief Stue?

[Poet]

Have you met my friend, Bief Stue?

Bief is a wise man and knows his basketball. I remember him tearing up a Lakers fan when he tried to compare Kobe to Michael Jordan.

But, other than Bief....:D