Brands Stop Sponsoring Maria Sharapova over Failed Drug Test Results
Nike and TAG Heuer dropped sponsorship of Maria Sharapova, and Porsche suspended all activities with the famous tennis player until details of her failed drug test results unfold.
Sharapova said in a press conference held Monday that her January drug test results were Meldonium positive – a drug recently added to the list of banned substances. Sharapova added that Melodium was prescribed to her by a family doctor in 2006.
I will hold a press conference today @12pm PST, which will be broadcast LIVE on https://t.co/Chxh6xxfZY. For more info, visit my website.
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) March 7, 2016
She will be provisionally suspended from the sport starting Saturday, Mar 12, after which the International Tennis Federation “ITF” will decide her final punishment.
“Throughout my long career, I have been very open and honest about many things, and I take great responsibility and professionalism in my job every single day, and I made a huge mistake,” Sharapova said. “I let my fans down, and this sport down that I’ve been playing since the age of four and that I love so deeply.
Social media reaction
https://twitter.com/dikobaevn/status/707199289735385088
It's shameful that Sponsors already cut ties with Maria Sharapova without supporting her even for minutes.. #MariaSharapova
— Mirna El Helbawi (@Mirna_elhelbawi) March 8, 2016
Porsche (owned by VW) suspends sponsorship of Maria Sharapova. Clearly doesn't want to be associated with someone accused of cheating. Oh.
— Peter Campbell (@Petercampbell1) March 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/DocZeus/status/707203707172208640
https://twitter.com/AlohaBry/status/707203677900120064
