Sharapova Sponsors Running Away [VIDEO]
It didn't take long for companies to cut ties with tennis star Maria Sharapova after she held that press conference admitting she failed a drug test at the Australian Open.
Sharapova said he had been taking the drug called meldonium since 2006 for heart issues. The World Anti-Doping Agency banned the substance at the beginning of this year. Sharapova says she takes full responsibility for not knowing that.
Business reports now say her $70 million dollar deal with Nike is in trouble. Volkswagen and TAG Heuer are either suspending or postponing sponsorship agreements with the tennis star.
Sharapova is a five-time majors tennis champion and is one of the most successful female athletes in the world. Some estimates had her earnings at almost $30 million dollars in 2015 from tennis and endorsement deals.