Michael Phelps Loses Kellogg Endorsement Deal After Pot Scandal

February 5th, 2009 by Castina

Well folks, Michael Phelps has appeared on his final box of Corn Flakes.

The most-decorated Olympian in the history of the Games has lost his endorsement with cereal and snack maker Kellogg Co.

Kellogg said “Bye, Bitch” to human merman Michael Phelps on Thursday, stating that they will not renew a sponsorhip contract with the swimmer because he acknowledged smoking marijuana at a college frat party last Fall.

On Sunday, Michael, 23, publicly apologized for what calls a lapse in judgement after British tabloid News of the World published the now infamous pic of him puffing piff from a bong.

The Battle Creek, Michigan-based company says Michael’s behavior is “not consistent with the image of Kellogg.” The athlete’s contract with Kellogg expires at the end of the month.

Do you agree with Kellogg’s decision to pull the plug on its partnership with Phelps?

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7 Responses to “Michael Phelps Loses Kellogg Endorsement Deal After Pot Scandal”

On February 5th 2009, Christina wrote:

Yes, but I read elsewhere (http://www.dishiness.com/?p=4830) that some of his other sponsors are still pretty happy and plan to stick with him.

He’s still going to be making plenty of money.
On February 6th 2009, Chuck wrote:

boycott kelloggs. take a stand.
On February 6th 2009, SunflowerPipes wrote:

Michael Phelps is an American Hero. He stood tall and made America proud at the Beijing Olympics. This is how America treats its heroes, we forget all of the hard work Michael Phelps did to achieve his task, we forget the pride we felt with the each gold medal, we forget how Phelps helped America to be competitive against the Chinese when they planned on winning all of the golds, we forget all of those things and hang a man for smoking glass pipe at a party. That is our shame; America cares little for appreciation and loyalty but is absolute when it comes to misplaced morality. In short America often finds it easier to tear people down and point fingers than it does to recognize freedom and practice good will. I hope they do try to arrest Michael Phelps to further shed light on our hypocrisy and maybe stir the good people of this country up enough to stand up for their friends and neighbors being persecuted in this “drug War”.
On February 6th 2009, John wrote:

Ive eaten my last box of kelloggs cereal, or any OTHER product Kelloggs makes, Phelps and Obama, 2 of the biggest sucess stories in recent history, have put the “pothead slacker” myth to bed, and i refuse to continue to buy into this antiquated “reefer madness” logic.
this has NOTHING to do with morality or “role models” just like Vanessa Hudgens didnt get fired from high school musical, because that franchise was/making too much money, its always about the almighty dollar, i plan on finding out what other endorsements phelps has, and supporting them just to spite Kelloggs, and call on all the “stoners” at NORML, and MPP to no longer eat those sugary cereals they do love to eat by the boxful when they get the munchies, goobye kelloggs 40+ year customer….maybe Michael can get an endorsement for “WEEDies”?
On February 9th 2009, jes wrote:

I completely agree with Kellogg for pulling their support. They are not required to pay anyone millions to endorse their products. Anyone can get fired from their job for drug use and last I heard pot is a drug which he admitted to using…so he got fired. Is anyone so special that they are immune to the law? How many of you that think Kellogg should keep Michael also think that OJ was innocent? Fame is not a ticket to do whatever you want to and someone that is billed as a wholesome hero to our country’s future athletes should not be exempt from the highest standards of conduct.
I hope that Michael takes full responsibility for his actions and works hard (say in an anti drug campaign) to restore his image because I do think that he is an incredible athlete.
On March 6th 2009, Mike231 wrote:

I agree Kellogs should have pulled the endorsement.Part of the reason big companies like kellogs hire these athletes, is to project an image they feel resonates with their own image.We know very well that its kids that see their heros ON CEREAL BOXES and tell their mom which cereal to buy in this case..Hey mom,buy the cereal with the stoner on the box. Not a good image..Good job kELLOGS.
On August 1st 2009, billy bob wrote:

Phelps is a punk! He smoke weeds and snuck in theatre? He deserve loosing the endorsement. Just because he won Olympic it doesn’t give him the right to act irresponsibly without any consequences.

I am not sure what people see in him but I see a punk kid who have yet to grow up. Wake up and start judging people BY THEIR ACTIONS!!