There's No Room For Mistakes
Famous people are always judged by the public although they are humans with good and bad habits, just like us. I can understand them, I really can but sometimes things are not so simple, especially when there is a signed sponsorship contract that forbids them to do certain things, or else, they lose the sponsorship. At a top level a good sponsorship can bring you millions and losing the contracts can hurt a lot.
There are a few famous cases where athletes lost quite a lot. Guess who's the biggest loser :) Yes, you're right, who else?
The biggest loser is Lance Armstrong, the American former professional road racing cyclist! He lost an estimated $150 million after the doping scandal, had all of his titles stripped, was banned from cycling for life. I believe I don't have to introduce lance Armstrong to you. If you're a sport person, you know who he is.
Next I would name Oscar Pistorius, the South African former sprint runner who shot and killed his girlfriend. No matter who you are, killing someone is still murder. He said it was an accident but he still was convicted for 13 years and five months.
Another well known name is Michael Phelps, the American swimmer. In 2009, a photo was published featuring Phelps smoking marijuana at a college party. He lost Kellogg's sponsorship. Subway stood by him regardless. Then, in 2014, Phelps was arrested for his second DUI.
Ben Johnson, the Canadian runner lost $2.8 million after he had tested positive for anabolic steroids in 1988, at the summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.
Marion Jones, the American former world champion track and field athlete had lost Nike's sponsorship after admitting to steroid use. She also went to prison for six month in 2008 for lying to federal prosecutors.
Mike Tyson also lost at least $10.75 million.
The Chicago Tribune called him an “unsellable superstar.” The article chronicled a series of incidents including car accidents, rumors of suicide attempts, street brawls, police encounters and, most damagingly, a devastating interview with Barbara Walters in which then-wife Robin Givens alleged that he was a violent, abusive drug addict. source
O. J. Simpson and Magic Johnson can be added to the list as well. While the first one was charged with brutally murdering her wife and a male acquaintance, Magic Johnson did nothing wrong. he announced he was HIV-positive, thus sponsors failed to renew his contract.