When the 2006 season began, football player Michael Vick had it all. The #1 pick in the National Football League’s 2001 draft, he had become an all-pro as quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. Vick’s endorsement income from contracts from Nike, EA Sports, Coca-Cola and other top corporations had earned him 33rd place on Forbes’ list of Top 100 Celebrities in 2005.

During the 2006 season, however, Vick’s image began to change for the worse. A well-publicized finger gesture to the Falcons’ fans during the season was a harbinger of the devastation to follow.

In April of 2007, all hell broke loose when Vick was accused of operating a six-state dog fighting ring based from his notorious naughty Newz Kennels. Further details, including the accusation that Vick personally executed one of his dogs, disgusted the American public and sent his endorsement deals down the drain.

After

admitting his guilt in a plea deal, Vick was recently sentenced to 23 months in a federal kennel. Although prosecutors recommended a shorter sentence, the judge overrode their demand due to Vick’s lack of promised cooperation. As a aftereffect of his conviction, his financial empire has plus collapsed, and his future earning potential looks as bleak as O.J.’s. Vick agreed to return nearly $20 million of his signing bonus, and banks are after him to return more than $4 million in trade loans.

Animal lovers can take some solace that, even from the grave, the dogs Vick tormented managed to bite him back.

Be certain to check out other Money Losers of 2007.

Original post by Tom Barlow

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