Celebrity Endorsements Gone Bad

By Mike Schuster Feb 06, 2009 9:00 am

Ten stars that put the "ass" in brand ambassador.

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Last week, a British tabloid published a picture of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps inhaling from a bong. The world (jncluding this website) seemed to wonder collectively whether his antics would cost him his lucrative sponsorships.

Kellogg has since opted not to renew the gold medalist's contract in February and Subway has likewise turned him loose.

Fearing their actions will reflect poorly on the brand, corporate sponsors have shown many a celebrity emissary the door. Minyanville looks back at some of these memorable instances.