With $10 million in endorsement earnings per year, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has become the NFL's second-wealthiest pitchman.
But according to Michael McCarthy of sportingnews.com, the 2015 NFL MVP may drop a few spots in those rankings thanks to his behavior after his team lost Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.
After the Denver Broncos beat the Panthers 24-10 in Santa Clara, California, Newton spent less than three minutes at the post game podium and gave mostly brief answers before storming out of the interview room.
See also: ABC15's Craig Fouhy says Cam Newton has a lot of growing up to do
Newton's behavior has been roundly criticized by NFL analysts and former players.
"Cam Newton's pouting and sullen attitude after Super Bowl 50 could cost him millions in endorsement dollars as chicken-hearted sponsors head for the hills," McCarthy wrote.
McCarthy bases that analysis on comments he's heard from "leading sports marketing, reputation and media relations experts" in New York City.
Many potential sponsors have become a bit gun-shy over the years in terms of spending millions on athletes, as they've seen some of those deals come back to haunt them, according to McCarthy.
"Marketers are justifiably wary of athletic endorsers after being burned by Lance Armstrong and Tiger Woods," he wrote.
"In less than three minutes Sunday, Newton set fire to years of image building for Cam the Brand."
The one NFL player ahead of Newton in annual sponsorship earnings? That would be Broncos Super Bowl-winning quarterback Peyton Manning, who brings in $12 million in endorsement deals per year and has never conducted himself in the manner Newton did Sunday night.
