The fallout continues for Ryan Lochte following the Rio gas station incident involving USA teammates Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen.
Following the announcement that longtime Lochte sponsor Speedo would be ending its relationship with the 2nd most decorated swimmer of all-time, two more sponsors have also cut ties with the 32-year-old.
Ralph Lauren, for whom Lochte was a featured athlete, has announced it will not be renewing its contract with the 2016 Olympic gold medalist. Per an email to SwimSwam, the brand states:
Ralph Lauren continues to proudly sponsor the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team and the values that its athletes embody. Ralph Lauren’s endorsement agreement with Ryan Lochte was specifically in support of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the company will not be renewing his contract.
Additionally, ESPN is reporting that Syneron-Candela, the company for whom Lochte represented its ‘gentle hair removal’ line, has decided to no longer pursue any agreements with the swimmer.
“We hold our employees to high standards, and we expect the same of our business partners,” the company said. “We wish Ryan well on his future endeavors and thank him for the time he spent supporting our brand.” (ESPN)
Regarding the parting from Speedo specifically, Lochte’s public relations firm released the following statement:
“I respect Speedo’s decision and am grateful for the opportunities that our partnership has afforded me over the years,” he said. “I am proud of the accomplishments that we have achieved together.”
Additionally, Airweave, a bedding-top manufacturer, has announced that they’ve terminated their agreement with Lochte. Airweave is also the title sponsor of the FINA World Cup series.
the update makes it quite clear, even the judges in Brazil question why guns were used and a shakedown regarding money happened. Lochte and the others are “guilty” of peeing next to the building because the bathroom was locked. NOBODY vandalized the bathroom. Guns WERE pointed at them. Money WAS extorted from them. Lochte, while drunk, knocked down a poster, but he didn’t steal it – it probably was an accident. Lochte didn’t lie to any police. He told his MOTHER and she opened her mouth.
Brazil is making a big bruhaha over nothing. NONE of the sponsors should drop Lochte for this nonsense. He’s now getting other sponsors and a gig on Dancing with the Stars. GOOD. … Read more »
Phelps regained his media magic mostly because he returned to awesome swimmer status. Missy Franklin seems sweet as apple pie but if she’s not swimming well the opportunities thin out. So message to Lochte — if you want back on the gravy train, you probably have to swim great through 2020. Because sadly, in America, what seems to count most is performance. Me — I still like Missy Franklin and would hire her to do commercials with another role model, Katie Ledecky.
maybe hell go with a no name company and make a ryan lochte tech suit
I agree that Lochte made a major error in concocting his false story, showing major cultural insensitivity and immaturity. He showed weak character. However, it seems that the reports of damage to the bathroom have been “over-exaggerated.” I’m not a fan of frat boys or people who brag about their expensive wardrobe on social media. But I still feel bad for him. I hope he goes into counseling to deal with his binge drinking, and I hope he is able to do some soul-searching and grow as a person so some good can come out of all of this. For he has contributed a lot to our sport, and he has the potential to become a role model to young… Read more »
To those who keep saying that Michael Phelps did not pay as much as RL is paying for his mistakes: 1) he was crucified on this very website and by various media for not being a good role model; 2) he was banned from 2015 WCs, which God knows how much it cost him financially (not to mention in terms of medals never gotten); 3) Speedo did not renew his contract (although they never said it was because of the DUI); 4) he was sentenced to supervised probation. The difference is, he never lied about his situation.
Phelps also straight up apologized.
Nothing about “over exaggerating” “I was confused” “I didn’t know why I did it” “I was too drunk”..etc
And MP didn’t commit his offence whilst on duty for Team USA. I was one of the few people on this site advocating for the DUI issue to be separated from his swimming career. I still think that he was harshly dealt with. His punishment was metered out even before he was convicted in a court of law.
He and Speedo parted when he retired. When he first started swimming again before the DUI, his suits had blacked out logos. The bigger issue is that Under Armour and Aqua Sphere stuck with him because his problems were personal. Lochte’s sponsors are all still riding Olympic contracts for future, they don’t want to piss off the IOC.
But he did lose sponsors (even though I think he and Speedo probably didn’t renew their contract more due to MP wanting his own line and speedo not budging.) but back to the point, VISA and subway (good riddance to subway) definitely didn’t renew his contract due to the DUI I think. He definitely lost sponsors but they had they didn’t out right drop him just let his contract expire.
What would be epic is MP picking up Lochte… Once they fully partner with under armour, speedo will hurt even more because every UA college will be forced to go with MP- thus putting speedo out even more millions.
Not apologizing for Lochte- but with the new story coming out from USA today citing Brazil officials for embellishing in the facts that they destroyed the bathroom. And, according to the lawyer, if they paid more than what the poster was worth, it is in fact a robbery, at gun point.
Speedo is hurting- first the missy flop after the announcement of her new line now this….
Yeah, it was a tough Olympics for Speedo.
What happened to the crisis manager that he hired? First take is he hasn’t helped!!!!
Agree. Seemed like he got horrible advice.