Sponsors hail Maria Sharapova’s reduced ban

TIL Desk Sports/ Maria Sharapova’s reduced suspension for a doping violation is set to provide a healthy boost to her bank balance with corporate sponsors reaffirming their commitment to the Russian player. The 29-year-old can return to the court next April after the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced her two-year ban by nine months on Tuesday.

Sharapova’s stunning admission in March that she had tested positive for meldonium at the Australian Open, and her subsequent ban by the International Tennis Federation, saw a number of sponsors distance themselves from her. Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer cut ties with the former world number one while Porsche, a unit of Volkswagen AG, was among those to suspend its relationship with the Russian.

However, in the wake of Tuesday’s verdict the German luxury carmaker confirmed it would discuss its tie-ups with Sharapova. “We welcome the CAS verdict and are delighted for Maria,” Porsche said in a statement published by Russian news agency. “No contracts have been terminated. We will be discussing a future collaboration over the next days and weeks.”  Nike Inc, the world’s biggest sportswear brand, initially suspended its partnership with Sharapova after her admission in March but said it would continue to work with the player after her two-year ban was announced in June.