Sponsors drop Maria Sharapova, after revealing she took banned drug for ten years

Photo: Getty Images

Maria Sharapova, pictured, has announced she failed a drugs test at the 2016 Australian Open after testing positive for Meldonium
Loses $70m Nike deal, TAG Heuer contract, she is warned Porsche 'will not pursue new deal'.  
 - Avon would not comment on their contract with Sharapova






Several sponsors have dropped Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova after she admitted she had tested positive for a banned substance at January's Australian Open

The five-times Grand Slam champion dropped the bombshell at a press conference at a Los Angeles hotel, confessing she had been found to have taken Mildronate – or Meldonium – which was prohibited from January 1 this year. 

Just hours later, the 28-year-old lost her most lucrative deal - an eight-year contract extended in 2010 for a reported $70million with sportswear brand Nike, where she has her own clothing line.

Swiss watch brand TAG Heuer followed suit, saying that its contract with Sharapova had expired at the end of 2015 and it has pulled out of negotiations on a new agreement.

Another one of her major partners, Porsche, said that while they are 'certainly not dumping' Sharapova, they are currently 'not pursuing any further activities' with her. 

Photo: Getty Image

Former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova tested positive for Meldonium after competing in Australian OpenMeldonium was a medicine the Russian ace took for 10 years but it became a prohibited substance on January 1Received letter on December 22 from WADA informing her of changes and she admits she didn't look at the list
 The 28-year-old said she was taking Meldonium for 'health issues', including a family history of diabetes
 International Tennis Federation confirms she will be provisionally suspended from the sport from March 12
 Hours later, Nike announced that is is suspending their $70million endorsement with Sharapova
  On Tuesday morning, Swiss  watchmaker TAG Heuer said its deal with Sharapova will notbe renewed 
However, the Russian Chief says he expects Sharapova to play in the 2016 Olympics in Augus



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Porsche brand ambassador Maria Sharapova has unveiled her personal interpretation of the Panamera GTS.

The 28-year-old Russian tennis player confirmed the shock news at a pre-arranged press conference held in Los Angeles on Monday 

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Reading a written statement to a host of journalists at the press conference, she said she took 'full responsibility' for the test failure

The International Tennis Federation has confirmed the star will be provisionally suspended from the sport from March 12, however, despite this, the president of the Russian Tennis Federation has said he expects Sharapova to play in the Olympics in Brazil in August this year.  

In a statement on Monday night, Nike said: 'We are saddened and surprised by the news about Maria Sharapova. We have decided to suspend our relationship with Maria while the investigation continues. We will continue to monitor the situation.'

Sharapova earns $30million a year in endorsements, according to Forbes. Current endorsements include American Express, Avon, Evian, Porsche.

‘We have enjoyed a very good relationship with Maria Sharapova during our partnership,’ Viktoria Wohlrapp, Head of Sports Communications said

‘We are not to make any fast assumptions and will wait for the outcome of the investigation into the drug. In the meantime, we will not be pursuing any further activities, as these are strong allegations so it would not be appropriate

‘This could go either way, but we are certainly not dumping her.

Avon said on Tuesday morning that they are not commenting on their contract with Sharapova, who is the face of their fragrance called Luck.  

Photo: WireImage

Sharapova, pictured left, at the Australian Open in January dressed in Nike, and right, attending the unveiling of the U.S. Open Nike designs at Pier 54 on August 2010



 

Maria Sharapova has only played three tournaments in the last eight months after being plagued with injury

Photo: J.E.E/SIPA/REX/Shutterstock
Sharapova pictured in happier times with the French Open Trophy by the Eiffel Tower in Paris after winning the 2014 tournament

Photo: Getty Images

At a press conference which many assumed would be to announce her retirement after a spate of injuries, she delivered what is catastrophic news for her, the sport and women's tennis in particular.

'I had legally been taking this for ten years,' said Sharapova, who conceded that she had received a notification from the International Tennis Federation on December 22 that it was being outlawed. She admitted that she did not follow an information link that was provided.

'I take responsibility for my professionalism in my job and I made a big mistake. I know there will be consequences and I don't want to end my career this way. I really hope I will be given another chance to play tennis again. I can't blame anyone but myself. I have let my fans down.

Courtesy: mail