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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Subway Keeps Phelps on Board

Fast-food chain 'accepts his apology' but plans to shelve TV ads for now

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(Newser) – Subway is sticking with Michael Phelps despite his bong-tarnished image, Advertising Age reports. One day after Kellogg dropped the Olympian over his marijuana use, Subway said it was "disappointed with his behavior," but, "like most Americans, we accept his apology. Moving forward, he remains in our plans." Subway will likely shelve its first TV campaign with Phelps for now.

America's largest fast-food chain, Subway beat out big-name bidders to secure Phelps to a multi-year deal last December. McDonald's appeared to be one of the bidding war losers. "McDonald's is Goliath, and we're David," a Subway executive said. "Fortunately I have a pretty good slingshot."

In this Sept. 25, 2008, file photo, Michael Phelps, winner of eight gold medals in the Beijing Olympics, smiles while holding a box of cereal with his image on it in Baltimore.
In this Sept. 25, 2008, file photo, Michael Phelps, winner of eight gold medals in the Beijing Olympics, smiles while holding a box of cereal with his image on it in Baltimore.   (AP Photo/Rob Carr, File)
In this file photo provided Kellogg Co., a prototype of a box of Kellogg's Corn Flakes with U.S. swimming star Michael Phelps is seen.
In this file photo provided Kellogg Co., a prototype of a box of Kellogg's Corn Flakes with U.S. swimming star Michael Phelps is seen.   (AP Photo/Kellogg Co.)
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, pauses, as he answers questions from reporters before training at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center, Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, in Baltimore.
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, pauses, as he answers questions from reporters before training at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center, Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, in Baltimore.   (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps pauses as he answers questions from reporters before training at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center, Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, in Baltimore.
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps pauses as he answers questions from reporters before training at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center, Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, in Baltimore.   (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps trains at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center, Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, in Baltimore.
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps trains at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center, Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, in Baltimore.   (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
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4 comments
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infidel
Feb 6, 09 7:31 PM CST
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KELLI2L
Feb 6, 09 9:59 PM CST
IMO - Kudos to Kellogg for dropping him. Since when does being a great Olympian make you a good person. And he has proved otherwise, you don't do pot or any other thing illegal if your a decent law-abiding person, period. . . . . Subway needs to proritise it's morals for NOT dropping him. . . . . Reply
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xomko
Feb 7, 09 7:26 AM CST
Kellogs did not "drop him." His contract expires at the end of this month, they are not renewing it. Kellogs also did not renew the USA Olympic team sponsorship at the end of last year. Does that mean that the entire US Olympic program is immoral? Methinks it's just hypocrites in Battle Creek trying to spin PR to their advantage. Reply
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Lizbelle01
Feb 8, 09 12:00 PM CST
Kudos to Subway for sticking with Michael. Maybe they should use him now! I can see the spot in my head. Michael digs into a foot long and says, "when I have the munchies, nothing satisfies my craving like a Subway footlong!" Reply
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