Doping Scandal: Nike, others cut ties with Maria Sharapova

This is not the best of times for five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova as three of her major sponsors have announced with immediate effect the severing of ties with her.
The sponsors, Sportswear giant Nike, Swiss watch brand Tag Heuer and German luxury car company Porsche had issued statement dissociating themselves from her.
According to a statement issued by Tag Heuer it said, "In view of the current situation, the Swiss watch brand has suspended negotiations, and has decided not to renew the contract with Ms Sharapova,"
According to an Associate Press report there is an initial ongoing discussion to renew it before the scandal blew up.
While Nike said in a statement, "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."
"We are saddened and surprised by the news about Maria Sharapova," Nike said in a statement. "We have decided to suspend our relationship with Maria while the investigation continues. We will continue to monitor the situation."
The former world no1 has announced the positive test to a banned substance meldonium at the Australian Open during a news conference in Los Angeles on Monday.
"I know that with this, I face consequences," Sharapova said. "I don't want to end my career this way, and I really hope I will be given another chance to play this game."
"I take great responsibility and professionalism in my job, and I made a huge mistake," Sharapova said. "I let my fans down. I let the sport down that I've been playing since the age of 4, that I love so deeply."
She has been taking the drug which became a banned substance last December for the past ten years.
She faces a possible lengthy ban from the International Tennis Federation, possibly ending her season and preventing her from competing for Russia at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Sharapova is one of the top female players of her generation, with 35 career singles titles and over $36 million in career earnings. That earning potential is thought to be easily dwarfed by the earnings she generates from her commercial appeal.
Sharapova is thought to be the world's highest-paid female athlete due to endorsement deals and her extensive business ventures, including a high-profile candy line, Sugarpova. Forbes estimated her earnings at $29.5 million for 2015.