Michael Phelps problem now is if his sponsors pull out, this is a huge money loser.
One thing I never got was who cares? What's done on his own personal time is nobody else's business. Sure everybody's used to the tabloids giving us all the personal details of celeb's off work lifestyle, but that doesn't make it right..... it's an invasion of privacy and so long as they can do what they're meant to do in their jobs, whatever that may be.... what should it matter if they smoke pot, drink all the time, or have big sex parties?
Sure this is the US and marijuana is more looked down apon then a masturbating priest, but come on..... (No pun intended)
Actually, what sort of effect would it have on the public's image if he was caught having a big orgy, compared to smoking a bong? One's legal and the other isn't.... but what effect would have been made?
But I think the balls in his court.... who cares about what sponsors drop? He's got friggin gold medals up the wazoo..... I'm sure many other sponsors would love to take their place..... like Mary Jane's Smoke Shop, or High Times Magazine.
In fact, he shouldn't have apologized.... he should have taking his position and used it to promote the decriminalization of marijuana in the US, followed by the legalization there after.
He's got the power man.
Added:
If my private life was exposed like that to the public and I was in a position like he was, I'd be doing exactly what they wouldn't be expecting and turn the whole situation up apon its ass.... and cause a huge stink of a movement..... that'll learn em.