After acknowledging that she failed a drug test during the Australian Open, tennis player Maria Sharapova lost the support of several significant sponsors.
According to a Forbes article from last year, the former world champion has been the highest-paid female athlete in the world for 11 consecutive years. Including “$23 million from endorsements and appearances,” Forbes reports that she made $29.7 million in revenue last year.
On Monday, Sharapova informed reporters in Los Angeles that her test results for the recently outlawed drug meldonium were positive. She stated the following:
ITF records reveal that “meldonium was moved from the’monitoring program’ and added to the ‘prohibited list’ beginning in 2016,” as the Two-Way reported. This is due to “evidence of its use by athletes with the intention of enhancing performance.”
Nike severed ties with the 28-year-old star promptly. The business released a statement on Monday afternoon stating, “We are saddened and surprised by the news about Maria Sharapova.” “We have made the decision to put Maria’s relationship on hold while the investigation is ongoing. We’ll keep an eye on the circumstances.” Forbes reported in 2010 that an eight-year contract extension with Nike “may be worth as much as $70 million, including royalties.”
