Maria Sharapova

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Maria Sharapova gets to keep her sponsorships with Nike, Evian & Head

As we discussed yesterday, Maria Sharapova received a two-year ban on professional tennis after she admitted (after she tested positive) to using a banned substance. Sharapova’s version of the verdict is that the ITF found that she did not intentionally use banned substances, that it was all some big misunderstanding. But if you read the full decision – you can see the PDF file of the decision here – you might realize that the ITF investigated Sharapova thoroughly and they had many good reasons for implementing the two-year ban. Still, most people aren’t going to delve that deeply into it, especially because Sharapova is going to appeal the decision and she’s still fronting like she really didn’t do anything wrong. What’s surprising is that so many of Sharapova’s sponsors aren’t delving too deeply into the ITF’s decision either. Many of the sponsors are sticking with her. Shock of shocks. Maria Sharapova has found support from sponsors after being given a two-year suspension for failing a drugs test at the Australian Open. Sharapova has vowed to fight the ban, announced by the International Tennis Federation on Wednesday, after she tested positive for prohibited substance meldonium and high-profile sponsors Nike, Head and Evian are standing by the Russian, with Nike lifting the suspension they imposed on their contract when news of her failed drugs test emerged in March. At the time of the failed test, the sportswear company said it was putting its eight-year, $70m deal on hold. But in a statement on Wednesday night, it said that it had decided to continue working with Sharapova. “The ITF Tribunal has found that Maria did not intentionally break its rules. Maria has always made her position clear, has apologised for her mistake and is now appealing the length of the ban,” read Nike’s statement. “Based on the decision of the ITF and their factual findings, we hope to see Maria back on court and will continue to partner with her.” Sharapova’s racket provider Head never wavered in its support of her, citing her as a “role model and woman of integrity” at the time of her failed test and proceeding to extend her deal. On Thursday, Evian said in a statement: “The ITF tribunal concluded that Maria Sharapova’s contravention was not intentional. Following this announcement, Evian has decided to maintain its long-lasting relationship with the champion.” Two of Sharapova’s other sponsors, watchmaker Tag Heuer and luxury car brand Porsche, have been less supportive. Porsche suspended activities with Sharapova following her failed test, and will now wait for the verdict to her appeal to the Court of Arbitration to Sport. The company said in a statement: “We have taken note of the recent International Tennis Federation ruling in the case of Maria Sharapova and are especially aware that it was decided that she was not accused of intentionally violating the World Anti-Doping Code. As Maria will appeal the decision, we will continue to keep all activities with her on hold until the final judgement has been reached.” Tag Heuer announced in March it had decided not to renew Sharapova’s contract, but has not ruled out working with her again in the future. Cosmetics brand Avon are also severing ties with Sharapova but insist that is not because of her doping ban. A spokesperson said: “Avon’s relationship with Maria Sharapova was a limited engagement that focused on one of our fragrances. The engagement is set to expire and we had not planned to extend this relationship regardless of the current situation.” [From The Guardian] The biggest deal was Nike, because that’s her most lucrative contract, and I’m absolutely shocked that they’re sticking with her. While Sharapova has always been more of a model than a professional tennis player, surely it’s bad business for an athleticswear company to continue spending tens of millions of dollars on an athlete banned from her sport following a thorough investigation? Surely it would just be easier for Nike to sever ties with Sharapova – for good cause, mind you – and start over with another player? And of course there’s a larger conversation to be had about privilege and what the reaction would have been if one of the Williams sisters had tested positive. Can anyone say that this would have the reaction if Serena was in this situation? Photos courtesy of WENN.

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Serena Williams: Maria Sharapova ‘showed a lot of courage to admit’ to doping

Yesterday, we discussed how Maria Sharapova tested positive for a banned substance. The substance? Meldonium, which Sharapova openly admitted she has been taking for 10 years. Meldonium was just added to the banned-substance list in 2016, a fact which Sharapova claims she was unaware of. The claim that she was unaware has brought mixed reactions, and one of the best pieces I’ve read was this Guardian piece, where they basically say that Sharapova is one of the most heavily managed, structured and well-staffed athletes in the world, so how is it possible that she was unaware of the changes in the banned-substance list? While you ponder that, Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki have both chimed in. Just FYI: Caroline and Serena are really close friends and I can totally picture the two of them texting like crazy throughout the Sharapova news conference on Monday. While a Tuesday press conference was supposed to highlight World Tennis Day, the annual celebration didn’t get much airtime. Instead, most questions focused on Maria Sharapova’s Monday announcement that she failed a drug test at this year’s Australian Open. World No.1 Serena Williams and two-time year-end World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki spoke about the revelation. “I think like everyone else said most people were surprised and shocked by Maria,” Williams said. “Most people were happy that she was upfront and very honest and showed a lot of courage to admit to what she had done and what she had neglected to look at in terms of the list at the end of the year.” Wozniacki explained that as a tennis pro, she pays special attention to what she consumes. “Any time we take medication, we double and triple check because sometimes even things like cough drops and nasal sprays can be on the list,” she said. “As athletes, we always make sure to really make sure there’s nothing in it that could put us in a bad situation.” Williams continued, “It’s just taking the responsibility, which she was willing to do and ready to. I hope for the best for everyone in that situation.” During the conference, Williams was also asked Nike’s decision to suspend its endorsement deal with Sharapova. Williams, who is poised to become the world’s highest-paid female athlete after the Russian’s announcement, demurred. “I can’t comment on Nike,” said Williams who is endorsed by the company. “I think they’re a successful, huge billion dollar company and make their own decisions and obviously know how to make great decisions.” [From Fortune] Wozniacki came in with the pointed comment, not Serena, did you notice that? Like, Caroline was the one with the judgy “well, when you’re a professional athlete, you’re supposed to be pay attention to what you’re taking” comment. While there has historically been no love lost between Sharapova and Serena Williams, I feel like Wozniacki might have a beef with Sharapova too. As for the Nike thing, it’s true – Sharapova’s lucrative, $70-million Nike contract has been “suspended.” TAG Heuer and Porsche have also suspended their sponsorship deals with Sharapova. The Independent did a fascinating breakdown of how quickly Sharapova has been losing sponsors, compared to male athletes who have tested positive for banned substances. The theory seems to be that there is sexism at play, that Nike in particular has given male athletes more time and consideration before pulling their contracts. While I think there’s definitely a sexist element to how quickly Sharapova is being thrown under the bus, I also think it’s a little late to complain about it, considering Sharapova has made an incredible fortune for herself just by being lithe and blonde and camera-ready. Photos courtesy of WENN.

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Maria Sharapova wears earrings worth $50,000 at Sony Open Player Party

Tennis star Maria Sharapova looked gorgeous at the 2013 Sony Open Player Party, held at the JW Marriott Marquis on March 19, 2013 in Miami, Florida. The 25-year-old stunner wore a J. Mendel dress and gorgeous Le Vian earrings that retail for $51,348! Check out a close-up of the earrings below! The Le Vian 18K Strawberry Gold Rhodolite Earrings with Vanilla Diamonds are the perfect choice for her colorful dress. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images)