NEW YORK — Michael Phelps says he's more worried about the pain he caused family and friends than losing money in endorsements after he was photographed inhaling from a marijuana pipe.

In an interview with NBC's Matt Lauer, the swimming star doesn't directly answer whether he was smoking marijuana. According to excerpts released by the network Thursday, Phelps replied: "It was a bad mistake. I mean, we all know what, you know, what you and I are talking about."

The interview will air Friday morning on "Today" and Sunday night on "Dateline."

USA Swimming suspended the Olympic great three months after the photo was published in a British tabloid Feb. 1. He also lost his sponsorship from Kellogg.

He has previously apologized for his poor judgment.