Speedo Clings to Phelps Despite Pot Controversy

By Jake on

Michael Phelps in Olympics Day 7 - Swimming

The photo that sparked the controversy.
Unlike fairweather sponsors Kellogg's and Subway, swimsuit maker Speedo says it will stick with Michael Phelps through hell and high water, even if the 23-year-old was caught sucking down bong rips at a party in South Carolina.

Speedo is the first major sponsor of Phelps who has publicly pledged to keep Phelps on the payroll. Kellogg's announced on Friday that it would not be renewing Phelps' contract at the end of February, while Subway has not only dropped Phelps, but erased every mention of the gold medal winner from its website. Harsh, bros. Harsh.

Speedo, meanwhile, seems pretty chill about the whole thing. In a public statement, the company said that while "Speedo would like to make it clear that it does not condone such behavior and we know that Michael truly regrets his actions," they plan to keep record-breaking athelete around, continuing, "Michael Phelps is a valued member of the Speedo team and a great champion. We will do all that we can to support him and his family."

Meanwhile, potheads on the Internet are trying to whip up a public outcry about sponsors who chose to ditch Phelps for his weed-smoking ways. One such petition, "Boycott Kellogg's For Treatment Of Michael Phelps," states: "Kellogg's has profited for decades on the food tastes of marijuana using Americans with the munchies. In fact, we believe that most people over the age of twelve would not eat Kellogg's products were they not wicked high."

What do you think? Will the photos of Phelps smoking from a marijuanna pipe affect how you see his sponsor companies? Vote here!

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