endorsements were endless for Phelps. )

Not really.  He's an American Olypmic swimmer.  10 days after the Olympics were over half of America already forgot about him and won't care about him until 6 months before the next Olympics.  Everyone else you mentioned is a star in a MAJOR American sport that has national TV exposure every year.  Swimming most certainly does not belong in the same breath.

Plus, I find it very hard to believe that anyone's going to be paying a 50-70 year old Phelps to sell anything.

heres some reading.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/08/18/phelps.endorsements/index.html?eref=rss_mostpopular

some more.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=5612292&page=1

No fair adding to your post while I was responding!!!

BTW, the second article says he'll make $100 million in endorsements over his life.  For Skippy to be right that would mean that he would lose ALL of his endorsements.  

I'm not doubting he can make 100 million.  I'm doubting this deal could cost him 100 million.  Lets say without this incident he ties Jordan with 500 million.  Now with it he's only going to make 400 million.  20% loss in endorsements, I don't think so.  Plus how much of that 500 million is going to come 5+ years from now when everyone has forgotton about this.

I don't think he will get to 500 million though if thats all Jordan managed. Even if he does imo its inconceivable to think one picture is going to cost him 100 million when he's already pretty succesfully survived the DUI deal.

Schadenfreude!

And you think the most successful Olympian in the history of the world can't make 100 million?

Nope.  I don't think that this incident will cost him $100 million in endorsements or really anywhere near CLOSE to that amount.

Skip Bayless=idiot.

Schadenfreude

x3. Hating the player & the game.  8-)

Bonehead move on his part, but I could care less.  

Just because of this, still not going to take away what he was able to do this past summer.

It was no big deal for a former American President. I can't see how this will grossly effect an American Swimmer.

I'm sure Phelps didn't inhale either.

Here's an update. S. Carolina cops consider pressing charges...

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/swimming/news/story?id=3881374&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

I know the government have their reasons to ban pot, but the way I see it pot isn't as deadly as certain substances, which our society is okay with, such as cigarettes and alcohol.

Heck, under certain circumstances, pot is even legal to use. Cigarettes and alcohol are more addictive and kills way more people than pot. Over the counter medication and ordinary cleaning supplies are more lethal than pot. Cigarettes alone poses a greater risk on people making billions of dollars while millions lose their lives. I just don't understand how people can draw the line as to what is ethical and what isn't.

Had to bring this back to the surface after a weekend conversation with a friend who has worked as a coach with Phelps.  No doubt he is amazingly talented, but this friend said that no coach likes working with him.  He does his own thing, and when you push him (ie: training) he throws a tantrum and yells and cusses at his coaches and has walked out on many practices and training sessions.  I have no problem with anyone smoking pot on their own time, athlete or not, but I do have a problem with a guy who is an A$$ just because no one will put him in his place.

He is one person who is definitely happy about the A-Rod story.

But seriously, the A-Rod story puts it in perspective.  All these baseball players are doping up, with very dangerous drug with proven long-term health affects, and no one really complains.  Sure, the government is trying to make an example out of a few players, but they still have a lot of support.

Meanwhile, Phelps smokes a drug that has never been linked to any deaths, ever, and it's this big of a story?  Let's give him credit for being one of the few big-time athletes not using roids.

The kid is only how old? 23? give him a break...smoking a little pot never hurt anyone... He is a little dumb for letting someone photgraph it but whatever.

It's marijuana, guys. Move on.

A drug, is a drug, is a drug. Bottom line- it's illegal.

It's marijuana, guys. Move on.

x2

And C-dizzle...so is speeding, and it is the cause of more deaths...

It's just another thing that is being blow way out of proportion. This and the A-Rod crap are getting more air time than the deadly peanut butter that could be lurking in YOUR home....     ;D

Phelps has basically had the same coach all of his life. Bob Bowman found him at North Baltimore and moved on with him to the University of Michigan and Club Wolverine. They are both back at North Baltimore now. Bowman is know as a very strict coach.

It's marijuana, guys. Move on.

x2

And C-dizzle...so is speeding, and it is the cause of more deaths...

It's just another thing that is being blow way out of proportion. This and the A-Rod crap are getting more air time than the deadly peanut butter that could be lurking in YOUR home.... ;D

You're right. I understand and agree how unlethal and safe it is, but that just doesn't make it right. I just don't like how star athletes and role models don't think about the millions of eyes they attract.

He has changed my view when I become a parent...

When my kid asks me if he/she can take smoke pot I will say sure. Right after you win 14 Olympic Gold medals........

He has changed my view when I become a parent...

When my kid asks me if he/she can take smoke pot I will say sure. Right after you win 14 Olympic Gold medals........

Cause I'm sure your kids will ask first, right?

Hahahaha

He has changed my view when I become a parent...

When my kid asks me if he/she can take smoke pot I will say sure. Right after you win 14 Olympic Gold medals........

That "REALLY?!?!" segment of the weekend update was RIGHT ON, couldn't have put it better myself.  ;D

The only reason why it's even a big deal is the fact that he's an Olympic Gold Medalist.

"I'm a Olympic Gold Medalist...Oh it's true, it's d**n true!" - Kurt Angle

It's marijuana, guys. Move on.

x2. and in some places it is legal. there is a reason for that , but that is a different conversation/argument.

i could see if it was something like steroids or another performance altering drug while he was competing , but he wasnt and it was pot. also , the fact that he is a gold medalist sure doesnt help. but i do understand the whole role model thing. but who is to say that is the first time he has smoked? im darn sure it wasnt. and with passing over 1500 drugs tests in his carrer , it obviously hasnt effected his performance.

This guy was the biggest thing in sports who signed multi-million dollar endorsement deals when his star was it's brightest. Then the olympics ended and his sponsors learned that their new spokesman has all the charisma of an Ugly Stick.

When he wrapped his lips around that bong, he gave Subway and Kelloggs the out they were looking for.

Most 23 year olds can get away with smoking pot at a frat party and few people will notice. I'm sort of amazed that Phelps wasn't smart enough to realize that he is not one of them.