"Too bad we can't let our heroes be human," said NextStage's resident sociologist. Kellogg's, sports institutions and who knows what else are pulling away from Michael Phelps faster than he did the competition in the Beijing Games. Because someone posted a picture to the internet of him taking a hit off a bong. At least that's what I've heard.
How much do you think that picture is going to cost him in endorsement contracts, speaking fees, exhibitions, consultations, ... ?
What do you think...can he sue whoever took the picture and posted it? Lost revenue and all that?
I have this picture of him going down the highway...think I can get anything for it?
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The loss of endorsements is as much (or more) a sign of the economy as it is passing judgment on the photo of Phelp's bong hit. He had the integrity to admit that the photo accurately caught him in the act. No denying he inhaled or that the picture was photoshopped. Which I thought was nice.
However, Kobe Bryant was under criminal investigation for rape, lost endorsements, but the endorsements returned as time from the event elapsed. Ray Lewis was convicted of obstruction of justice in a homicide, but time has passed and he will gets endorsement revenue. Brett Myers of the World Champion Philidelphia Phillies was seen punching his wife and dragging her by the hair in the streets of Boston, and baseball made him take a few days off before returning to work (if I recall correctly, baseball didn't make him take any time off until the media-based moral outrage had continued for a week or so). Heck, OJ was still collecting autograph revenue after his criminal and civil trial (at least prior to the recent conviction. We welcome athletes back with open arms regardless of their wrong, but give us the chance to show them 15 minutes of moral outrage to discourage others from mirroring the conduct.
I suspect Kellogg's was as anxious to get out of the endorsement due to the economy as anything. If not for the photo(s), they'd probably be looking for another way out of the deal. I wouldn't be surprised if they came back in the next few months and tried to negotiate something economically friendly. They will let athletes be human. They will also let Americans be Americans and, in the present economic client, most Americans cannot afford to make employment-related mistakes - they become 'employer opportunities'. If you are going to make your money by being someone to whom companies want to attach themselves, in this climate, you better stay squeeky clean.
Posted by: Windkiller | February 6, 2009 3:14 PM | Permalink to Comment