Kellogg to Drop Olympian Phelps
Will Let Endorsement Deal Expire at Month's End
CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- One bong hit seen around the world, and Olympian Michael Phelps is watching at least one contract go up in smoke. Kellogg will let the swimmer's contract expire at the end of the month.
"We originally built the relationship with Michael, as well as the other Olympic athletes, to support our association with the U.S. Olympic team," a Kellogg spokeswoman said in a statement. "Michael's most recent behavior is not consistent with the image of Kellogg. His contract expires at the end of February and we have made a decision not to extend his contract."
Kellogg also decided not to renew its Olympic Team sponsorship, which expired in December 2008.
Mr. Phelps behavior was the second black eye for Kellogg, which snagged Mr. Phelps after the Olympics, tying him into an exclusive-for-cereal deal, and keeping him off the Wheaties box.
General Mills didn't have to wait long for its comeuppance. Just three months later, Anderson Cooper raided Mr. Phelps' cabinets as part of a "60 Minutes" interview and found a box of Honey Nut Cheerios.
Mr. Phelps also has a lucrative deal with Subway, which has declined to comment on the matter. The chain has a campaign featuring the athlete ready for the airwaves. At this point, the work seems likely to be delayed.
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Not surprising, but still, very sad.
Someone, somewhere needs to begin taking stands for the very same stances taken by previous posters: lack of integrity, lack of loyalty to values (albeit, Kelloggs values), assumption of "unacceptable" past etc.
I suspect Phelps knew the consequences as well. He'll take the money but not follow the rules to get the money?
Now who's not loyal?
He was photographed doing something illegal! And he was caught driving drunk!
Did anyone read the article about the SuperBowl MVP, Santonio Holmes? Where are your comments in support of him in his article?
I'm just saying - shouldn't the same "tar and feather all misbehaving athletes" attitude apply here as it does for other athletes?
Maybe, someone can point out how there is a difference between these two young men?
They both mad bad decisions and they both should have to pay for that, equally.
Remember how you jumped to Mr. Phelps' defense, the next time you are lambasting an athlete that doesn't look like him for making a stupid decision.
Seriously, Kellogg is in the wrong? Wow.
I think
Is that a silly distinction? Probably.
But you can hardly claim basketball and football stars have it worse. Some of them have endorsement deals despite involvement with domestic abuse, assault, rape and other violent crimes.
Ultimately, Holmes isn't getting endorsed because he's not a super star. Sure, he made one catch in the big game, but he didn't break any records, didn't carry the team, etc. As pointed out in the other piece none of those other MVPs pulled in any major endorsement deals.
What awesome PR that could be.
Kellogg is not the villain here. Folks who see this as any different are. You send the wrong message. This behavior is unacceptable be you white or black or green. Michael was wrong and he is paying for it, as he should. Even he acknowledges this by accepting his suspension.
. . . of support.
³Old Friends Say Drugs Played Bit Part in Obama¹s Young Life²
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/09/us/politics/09obama.html