Celebrities Dropped By A Sponsor After a Controversy

Sponsorships connect famous faces with big brands, and those deals can change quickly when headlines turn negative. The cases below show what happens when a controversy leads companies to end contracts or decline renewals, often within days of a story breaking.

Each entry outlines the key details that matter. You will find the sponsor that cut ties, the event or conduct that triggered the decision, and any follow up such as suspensions, cancellations, or later reinstatements where applicable.

Ye

Adidas ended its partnership with the artist in October 2022 after a series of antisemitic remarks. The company halted Yeezy product sales immediately and announced that existing Yeezy inventory would be addressed separately through controlled releases and donations of proceeds to organizations that fight hate.

Other brands also cut ties around the same time. Gap terminated its collaboration agreement and stopped selling Yeezy Gap items, and Balenciaga ended its association through the group’s fashion houses.

Kyrie Irving

Nike suspended its relationship with the player in November 2022 and then ended the deal in December 2022. The company also canceled the planned release of the Kyrie 8 shoe following his promotion of a film containing antisemitic content.

After the contract termination, Nike removed most signature merchandise from its channels. Irving later signed a new footwear endorsement with a different company in the following year.

Tiger Woods

Accenture ended its global sponsorship in December 2009 in the wake of reports about his personal life. AT&T later concluded its agreement that same month, and Gatorade discontinued the Tiger branded beverage line in early 2010.

Woods continued to compete while other partners reduced visibility or allowed contracts to lapse. Some remaining relationships adjusted advertising plans and gradually returned to standard campaigns in later seasons.

Lance Armstrong

Nike terminated its contract in October 2012 after the release of the United States Anti Doping Agency report on systematic doping. Trek Bicycle also ended its relationship at that time, removing the athlete from marketing and special edition products.

In the months that followed, additional partners concluded agreements or withheld renewals. Oakley later terminated its sponsorship after cycling authorities confirmed the lifetime ban.

Michael Phelps

Kellogg declined to renew its endorsement with the swimmer in February 2009 after a photo surfaced showing him using a bong. The cereal maker confirmed the decision at the end of a short term contract that had covered a post Olympics period.

Other sponsors issued statements that outlined internal reviews and temporary pauses on advertising. Phelps returned to competition and signed new deals in later years after serving a brief suspension from the sport.

Ryan Lochte

Speedo USA ended its endorsement in August 2016 after the false robbery claim during the Rio Games. The company also pledged a donation of a portion of his sponsorship fee to a Brazilian swimming charity.

Ralph Lauren concluded its relationship at the end of the Games and removed campaign images. Additional partners either ended agreements or chose not to extend short term Olympic activations.

Kobe Bryant

McDonald’s ended its endorsement in 2004 after criminal charges were filed in 2003. Ferrero also discontinued the Nutella partnership during that period and removed related marketing materials.

The case was later dropped and a civil matter was settled. Bryant continued playing and signed subsequent sponsorships with other companies as his career progressed.

Michael Vick

Nike terminated its contract in 2007 following federal charges related to dogfighting. The company removed signature products from retail and halted all marketing that featured the athlete.

Other sponsors ended deals during the legal proceedings. After Vick returned to the league in 2009, Nike signed him again in 2011 as he reestablished his professional standing.

Ray Rice

Nike ended its sponsorship in September 2014 after the release of an elevator video showing a domestic violence incident. Retailers also pulled his jersey, and several partners removed him from marketing assets.

The league placed Rice on indefinite suspension that same month before an arbitration decision later changed his status. He did not return to play and the endorsements were not reinstated.

Oscar Pistorius

Nike suspended its relationship in 2013 after the athlete was charged in the shooting death of Reeva Steenkamp. The company subsequently terminated the agreement and removed advertising that included him.

Oakley also ended its deal during the legal proceedings. National and international athletics bodies imposed bans that prevented competition for extended periods.

Manny Pacquiao

Nike terminated its contract in February 2016 after he made derogatory comments about the LGBTQ community. The company removed his merchandise from its online store and ended all promotional activity.

Event sponsors and broadcasters continued to manage existing fight agreements independently. Pacquiao later signed endorsements with other brands outside the company’s portfolio.

Paula Deen

Smithfield Foods ended its endorsement with the chef in June 2013 after public disclosure of statements from a legal deposition. The company concluded the relationship and stopped planned promotions that featured her image.

Major retailers later ended product placements or removed her branded goods. The Food Network declined to renew her show contract at the same time, which ended related sponsor integrations.

Gilbert Gottfried

Aflac fired the comedian as the voice of its mascot in March 2011 after he posted jokes about the Japan earthquake and tsunami. The company launched a casting call to find a new voice and replaced him in advertising.

Aflac clarified that the remarks did not align with corporate values and with its large policyholder base in Japan. The insurer continued its relief efforts while rolling out new ads with a different actor.

Kate Moss

H and M dropped a planned campaign in September 2005 after tabloid photos showed alleged cocaine use. The retailer confirmed that it would not proceed with the upcoming season’s advertisements featuring the model.

Other fashion houses paused or scaled back visibility during the immediate fallout. Several later resumed work with Moss after legal outcomes and internal reviews were completed.

Luis Suárez

Online gaming brand 888poker terminated his ambassador deal in June 2014 after he bit an opponent during a World Cup match. The company confirmed the end of the agreement and removed his profile from its site.

Adidas issued a statement condemning the incident and later limited his presence in campaigns while keeping him under contract. The player received a multi month ban from international competition.

Cam Newton

Dannon ended its Oikos sponsorship in October 2017 after he made a sexist comment to a female reporter during a media session. The company pulled ads and confirmed that it would work with other athletes for the brand.

Other partners addressed the incident with statements and adjustments to campaigns. Newton apologized and continued his career with new endorsements in subsequent seasons.

Aaron Hernandez

Puma terminated its endorsement with the player in June 2013 after his arrest in a homicide investigation. CytoSport also ended its agreement, and retailers pulled related merchandise from stores.

The team released him the same day as the arrest. The terminated sponsorships did not return as the legal case progressed to conviction.

Phil Mickelson

KPMG ended its sponsorship in February 2022 after comments about a proposed Saudi backed golf league. Workday and Amstel Light also concluded their relationships during the same week.

Tournament organizers addressed their own partnerships as the new league launched and the PGA Tour issued suspensions. Mickelson later signed with brands connected to the new circuit.

DaBaby

BoohooMAN ended its collaboration with the rapper in July 2021 after homophobic comments at a festival performance. The retailer announced the termination and stopped distribution of the planned collection.

Music festivals removed him from lineups in the weeks that followed. Other brand partners adjusted plans and paused activations tied to upcoming releases.

Travis Scott

Anheuser Busch discontinued the Cacti hard seltzer brand in December 2021 after an internal review that followed the Astroworld tragedy in November. Production ended and remaining product was removed from the market.

Other partners paused or canceled collaborations scheduled for the months after the concert. Event sponsors and platforms also adjusted content and promotions tied to the artist.

Share the cases you think should be added in the comments.