3. Kobe Bryant – The 19-Year-Old Hotel Employee
When Kobe Bryant signed with the Los Angeles Lakers straight out of high school, many people started comparing him to such basketball giants as Michael Jordan. He seemed to have the charisma, skill, and long list of accolades that would create a legacy anyone in the sports world would be proud of. However, all of that changed after a 19-year-old hotel employee claimed she was sexually assaulted by Kobe in 2003. While the charges were ultimately dropped and settled for an undisclosed sum, the damage to his public perception never recovered. Not only did he lose lucrative endorsement deals, but many companies distanced themselves from the NBA star.
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