With Michael Phelps losing his Kellogg’s endorsement deal over his bong hits and Chris Brown being dropped by Wrigley over accusations he beat up Rihanna, it’s time to look back on earlier falls from sponsorship grace.
1989
Pepsi walked away from Madonna when her “Like a Prayer” video (with its burning crosses) came out.
1992
Nestle and Pepsi ditched Magic Johnson over the revelation that he was HIV-positive.
2003
McDonald’s and Nutella dropped Kobe Bryant thanks to his sexual-assault trial.
2004
The “Got Milk?” campaign axed the Olsen twins after Mary-Kate checked herself into a treatment facility for eating disorders.
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