Less than a month after Reebok announced its partnership with the eight-time U.F.C. champion, Jon Jones tested positive for cocaine and has entered rehab.
“We commend Jon for taking the necessary steps to address this issue, and we will support him in any way we can,” Reebok said in a statement. “The status of Jon’s relationship with Reebok has not changed.”
The 27-year-old’s victory on Saturday in a title defense against Daniel Cormier will stand since the test was conducted on Dec. 4 and is considered “out of competition,” according to World Anti-Doping Agency standards.
In a statement, the youngest champion in U.F.C. history apologized to his family, including his fiancée and four daughters. He added, “I am taking this program very seriously.”
Reebok announced in early December that it had entered into a six-year deal to serve as the exclusive uniform outfitter of the U.F.C. Jones, along with Ronda Rousey, were later announced as collaborators on the development and launch of the uniforms.
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This isn’t the first time an athlete with endorsement contracts has landed in trouble. Here’s how the situation has played out in the past:
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice lost all of his endorsement deals, including Nike, after a video of him assaulting his fiancée surfaced in September. Retailers, including Dick’s Sporting Goods and Modell’s, pulled his jersey from their shelves.
Only Kellogg’s chose not to renew its contract with Michael Phelps after an image emerged of him smoking a marijuana pipe. Speedo and others stayed with the decorated Olympian.
Probably the most famously followed sponsor-watch involved Tiger Woods’ 2009 cheating scandal. Nike stayed with the golfer, while brands Gillette, AT&T and Gatorade jumped ship.
