Michael Phelps Sponsor Kellogg To Drop Him Over Pot Smoking Photo

PORTLAND, Ore. — Cereal and snack maker Kellogg Co. said it won't renew its sponsorship contract with Olympic swimming star Michael Phelps because of a photo that showed him inhaling from a marijuana pipe.

The Battle Creek, Mich.-based company said Thursday that Phelps's behavior _ caught on camera and published Sunday in the British tabloid News of the World _ is "not consistent with the image of Kellogg."

The company put Phelps on boxes of its Frosted Flakes and Corn Flakes.

The 23-year-old swimmer, who won eight gold medals in Beijing, has kept the backing of many sponsors since the photo surfaced from a November house party at the University of South Carolina.

Among those standing by him, even if they don't condone his behavior, are Visa Inc., Speedo, luxury Swiss watchmaker Omega and sports beverage PureSport's maker Human Performance Labs.

Phelps apologized for his "regrettable" behavior and "bad judgment" after the photo appeared.

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 won't renew its contract with Phelps, which expires at the end of February.

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

Experts have said that after Phelps won his medals, he scored millions in endorsement deals.

Comments

[sdsteve]

This is stupid. If Michael didn't smoke pot he might have won 20 Gold medals. No more Kellogg's products for me.

[Don Parker - Huffpost Blogger]

Is this what Kellogg's was really thinking:

Don Parker: Kellogg's Insider on Phelps: Corporation More Concerned About Chemical Delivery Than Marijuana
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/don-parker/kelloggs-insider-on-phelp_b_165411.html

[Botheelectrician]

Even those of us that don't partake should be outraged. Give the guy a break! He regrets his action and promises to never do it again. On the lighter side, don't pot smokers get the munchis? Kelloggs is shooting itself in the foot. These people are probably some of their best customers.

[RationalDubSteppa]

This is why I don't like Religions or religious people in general. I do admit that I have a serious character flaw and that is that I have a very LOW tolerance for ignorance and stupidity. Specially in America where knowledge is just a library card away. Social progress in America is constantly hampered by individuals who still believe in multi-headed dragons, space goods and talking snakes! It's like we are a country filled with people that have the same intellect as the peasants in the Shrek movies. Sheesh! And what really upsets me is that the rationalist continue to sit idly by allowing this avalanche of American foolishness fuelled by the intentions of the faithfully ignorant. It's like a perfect storm design to breed and spread misinformation and ignorance.

[MaxCohen]

All Michael Phelps proved to the youth of America is that Pot use, like Alcohol use when done responsibly in no way really endangers you mentally or physically. Can you win gold medals and still blaze once in a while. Yes you can.

[MaxCohen]

Hey Kellogs
Its a good thing stoners never eat Frosted flakes or any other of your delicious cereals. Yeah right. Be cool man, Be cool.

[Cynthia Olson]

Hi there...I am so impressed with Michael Phelps' sucess as a swimmer in 2008. I agree with all of what has been said. I feel he should be given another chance but....I think Kellogg's is trying to blame this decision on him instead of the declineing ecconomy. They should be honest themselves....and just say that his contract ran out and they are choosing someone else! Phelps is just as human as the next guy......NO ONE is perfect and free from making mistakes..­...especia­lly Kellogg's....This is a BIG mistake to make with the consumers....they see through the smoke screen....­Michael...­.Just keep your head up.... above the crap that is coming out of the Kellogg's box.!!!!!!!

[Trucker777]

No more Kellogg products on my shopping list.

[RationalDubSteppa]

I dropped them too.

[Athirson]

How stupid?

stupid. Just think how many more boxes of Sugar Frosted Flakes they Kellogg's would sell if they encouraged all of their customers to smoke da ganja weed?

[Sincityscott]

Do people realize how pitiful we all seem? We obsess about the most mundane, trite, insignifica in a world of issues that are so pressing.
Lest I get into the argument of the ridiculous nature of the legality of hard liquor vs. pot etcetera, let me just say that WE the people are the small-minded idiots, especially these spineless EX sponsors of Mr. Phelps.
The man is an American hero, a patriot and an Olympic icon and he makes a mistake...publicly.
I know another public figure that was arrested for cocaine possession and two DUI's and yet SOME Americans voted him to be our President. Now that's crazy; that man was picked by SOME to run our whole damn country.
Michael Phelps has no such responsibilities and is just a kid with a hundred cameras trained on his every move.
It was dumb to hit that bong publicly, sure but as a mature country who've had a cocaine snorting, drunk for a President who made some very, very big mistakes himself I think maybe Mr. Phelps deserves a second chance from those same mature folks that run those nice tolerant companies who give money to Republican politicians and really, really hate pot.
I bet if George Bush's people call Subway he'd get a commercial in a heart-beat­...hypocri­tes!!

[ccpostman]

Go out tonight and rent "The Road to Wellville"

A story about the ins and outs of one unusual health facility in the early 20th century, run by the eccentric (insane)Dr. Kellogg.

Smoke a bowl while watching it!

[Jeffin90019]

So next time the munchies strike, stay away from Kellog products.

[TheBrainsBehindPa]

In any average bong-induced munchie attack, I could easily put away an entire package of Keebler cookies, a Kellogg subsidiary. Oh, the irony.

[NelsonBig]

I blame Phelps. He was so worried about losing sponsorship that HE APOLOGIZED. If this man had any balls, he'd stick up for this. Kellog's just followed suit. "Well, if he says it's wrong, then we have no choice." Even though Phelps would've been a great poster child for pot smokers everywhere, I've lost some respect for him. Apparently, money and sponsorships are more important than dignity.

[stevebest]

Theres 21 days left on the contract. if they had planned to renew they would have been in negotiations, they are just using their statement to get some media. Dui didnt bother them he aplologized for that too. the real reason is the olympics are over and he isnt center stage now

[sssteverrr]

If you object, as i do, to Kellog's rejecting Michael Phelps over this non-issue you can call them at
800-962-1413.

You can talk to someone in person to express your feelings.