January 19, 200422 yr McDonald's cuts ties with Kobe Bryant January 19, 2004 OAK BROOK, Ill. (AP) -- Kobe Bryant lost his sponsorship deal with McDonald's, costing the NBA star another endorsement while his sexual assault case proceeds in Colorado. The fast-food company said Monday its three-year agreement with the Los Angeles Lakers guard expired Dec. 31 and was not renewed. ``It would be inappropriate to comment or speculate at this time about any future sponsorship relationship,'' spokesman Bill Whitman said. Ferrero of Italy, the maker of Nutella chocolate spread, earlier chose to not renew Bryant's endorsement contract. Bryant, a five-time All-Star who helped the Lakers win three NBA championships, is averaging 22 points. He recently hurt his shoulder and could miss several weeks. Bryant's once-wholesome image has been damaged since a 19-year-old woman accused him last year of sexual assault. Bryant contends the sex was consensual.
January 19, 200422 yr A little premature, me thinks, but hey. When you are in the people pleasing business it is hard to have a spokesperson who has been already convicted by a large percentage of the country.
January 19, 200422 yr Author A little premature, me thinks, but hey. When you are in the people pleasing business it is hard to have a spokesperson who has been already convicted by a large percentage of the country. He had a morality clause. He knew the risk.
January 19, 200422 yr Kobe is already guilty in the "court of public opinion". And since the public buys McDonalds food....it would make sense they don't want to see Kobe's picture plastered up on their food. Even if he is found innocent, everyone will scream bulls*** and he will get the same treatment of OJ. Not that rape and murder are similar....I'm just saying Kobe will forever go around with this stigma of guilt regardless of the verdict.
January 20, 200422 yr I really don't see that as a surprise. This definitely has to be the reason Nike hasn't come out w/ any Kobe commercials. He just signed a big deal w/ Nike right before all this stuff came out.
January 20, 200422 yr Too bad he'll only be a milti millionair rapist instead of a multi multi millionaire rapist.
January 20, 200422 yr Nutella dropped him from their add campaign very quickly after the allegations came out...And my mom ripped him off our jar of it the same day.
January 20, 200422 yr I wonder who McDonalds will sign next now? Don't sign Lebron James. He's already signing with every other endorsement company.
January 20, 200422 yr Don't sign Lebron James. He's already signing with every other endorsement company. Gotta be Carmelo Anthony then.
January 20, 200422 yr McD should get a hold of Michelle any 14 year old female that can beat men has got to be cool.
January 20, 200422 yr McD should get a hold of Michelle any 14 year old female that can beat men has got to be cool. I'd like to see her and Yao Ming do an ad together.
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