Sports Scandals
The world’s top golfer probably wishes he could hide in the clubhouse after an early morning car wreck led to accusations of a string of extramarital affairs. Tiger denied but has since admitted to “transgressions” and issued an apology to his family. (Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)
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Baseball’s all-time hits leader is serving a lifetime ban from the sport he once ruled after it was determined by Major League Baseball that he placed bets on the team he was managing. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Allegations of extramarital affairs and the news he tested positive for performance enhancing drugs dogged A-Rod in 2009. Neither were enough to keep him and the New York Yankees from winning the World Series. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
In 2007 NBA ref Tim Donaghy admitted he bet on games and made calls affecting the point spread. The news sent a ripple through the league and penalized Donaghy with 15 months in federal prison. (Ronald Martinez /Allsport)
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The 2001 Little League World Series was dominated by young Danny Almonte who pitched a perfect game and a no hitter. The feel-good story of the year took a turn when it was revealed Almonte was 14 - two years older than he claimed to be. The deception led to his coach and father being banned from Little League. No word on if he returned the key to the City of New York to Mayor Giuliani. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
In 1994 skater Nancy Kerrigan (right) was attacked at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Detroit. Turns out it was organized by fellow skater Tonya Harding and her ex-husband! Harding would get probation in the case and was banned for life from the USFSA. (VINCENT AMALVY/AFP/Getty Images)
Former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson has had a life full of scandal and controversy including allegations of domestic abuse by ex-wife Robin Givens (pictured), time in jail on a rape conviction, bankruptcy and biting off a portion of opponent Evander Holyfield’s ear. (MARIA R. BASTONE/AFP/Getty Images)
Not only did Bash Brother Jose Canseco ‘fess up to taking steroids while playing Major League Baseball, he wrote a book and named names. The Silver Slugger has also faced allegations of domestic abuse and fighting in bars. (Hiroki Watanabe/Getty Images)
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Track star Marion Jones was forced to return her five Olympic medals after she admitted to using performance enhancing drugs. She was ultimately sentenced to six months in jail on perjury and check fraud charges stemming from her drug use. (Chris Hondros/Getty Images)
NBA-great Isiah Thomas was was found guilty of sexual harassment against a New York Knicks exec in 2006. The $11.6 million judgment is one of the largest ever for a harassment case. In 2008 he took an overdose of sleeping pills that Thomas said was not a suicide attempt. (Doug Benc/Getty Images)
Hard throwing pitcher Steve Howe showed no matter how many second chances one gets, the grip of drug addiction is tough to break. Howe was Rookie of the Year in 1980 but would be suspended seven times over 17 season for drug and alcohol abuse. The All Star pitcher retired in 1996. He was killed in a car accident in 2006. (Jed Jacobsohn/ALLSPORT)
Sir Charles says he’s not a role model and his gambling troubles are proof of that. He was accused of running out on a $400 thousand dollar dept to a Las Vegas casino. Afterward, Barkley said he would stop gambling. in 2008 he was pinched for a DUI and spent 10 days in jail. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Serial retiree Roger Clemens has been linked to steroids by a former trainer and a sex scandal involving Country singer Mindy McCready. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
Slugger Sammy Sosa faced accusations of steroid use during the time he was setting home run records for the Chicago Cubs. But it was the corked bat incident in 2003 that saw many turn on the one-time fan-fave. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
“The Juice” waited until he retired from sports to get in the scandal biz. He was acquitted on criminal murder charges in 1995 for the murders of his wife and her friend but later found responsible for their deaths in a 1997 civil trial. He sits in jail today after being found guilty of kidnapping and robbery in Las Vegas where he said memorabilia dealers stole some of his stuff. (Issac Brekken-Pool/Getty Images)
He won six NBA championships as a member of the Chicago Bulls, but MJ faced allegations of gambling and extramarital affairs throughout his career. His now ex-wife, Juanita (pictured), was reportedly awarded $168 million dollars in their 2006 divorce. (JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)
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Manny Ramirez became the first big-name player to serve a 50 game suspension under baseball’s banned substance rules in 2009. Manny said he was given the drug unknowingly by his doctor but didn’t challenge the suspension. (Nick Laham/Getty Images)
In 2003 a 19-year-old woman said she was raped by L.A. Lakers star Kobe Bryant in the Colorado hotel where she worked. He admitted to the sex but said it was consensual. The criminal case was dropped when she wouldn’t testify. The following civil case also wrapped early when a settlement between Kobe and his accuser was reached. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
Michael Vick lost his money and livelihood after he was convicted and sentenced to jail in 2007 for running a dog-fighting ring. The one-time highest paid NFL player was released in 2009 and is now a back in the NFL as a back-up QB for the Philadelphia Eagles. (Travis Lindquist/Getty Images)
“Say it ain’t so, Joe.” That was the plea from Chicago White Sox fans to team leader “Shoeless” Joe Jackson after it was revealed eight members of the team were on the take during the 1919 World Series. The eight players, including Jackson, would be suspended from baseball for life in what would be called the Black Sox Scandal. (New York Times Co./Getty Images)