Nike yesterday said it "will continue to partner" with Maria Sharapova, despite her recently announced two-year suspension for failing a drug test, according to the AP. In March, when Sharapova announced she failed a drug test, Nike said it had ''decided to suspend" its relationship with her "while the investigation continues.'' But Nike also said it would "monitor the situation" (AP, 6/9). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Tom Perrotta notes Nike had suspended its contract "pending the results of her hearing." Yesterday it lifted that suspension, noting that the ITF tribunal had "found that Sharapova did not intentionally break anti-doping rules" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 6/9). The AP's Eric Willemsen notes racket supplier Head today reinforced its support of Sharapova, one day "after she was banned for two years for doping." Head Owner & CEO Johan Eliasch said that the suspension was a "flawed decision," and that meldonium, the substance Sharapova tested positive for, "shouldn't be on WADA's banned list" (AP, 6/9). Water company Evian followed Nike and Head by saying they will "continue to back" Sharapova. But Avon today announced it "would not extend" an expiring partnership with Sharapova. The company said that its decision "had nothing to do with Sharapova's doping ban" (AP, 6/9).
DAMAGE CONTROL? In California, Shad Powers writes admitting to using a banned substance "carries an almost-automatic 1-year suspension, so the interesting question" surrounding yesterday's ruling is "why the extra year." It is a "question Sharapova herself is asking as she quickly responded to the ruling with disbelief." The women's game "clearly needs her," as there are "not a lot of marketable big-name players right now" besides Serena and Venus Williams. But the ITF "is using this opportunity to show some strength." A suspension for Sharapova that was deemed too light "may have touched off another image-damaging news cycle" (Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 6/9). ESPN’s Michael Wilbon said the ITF "wanted to make an example" out of Sharapova, and they "found somebody who's not particularly popular." However, the punishment is "completely out of control." Wilbon: "It should be appealed and rescinded." ESPN's Tony Kornheiser: "If you say that this is not intentional, I don't know how you can give her two years" ("PTI," ESPN, 6/8). SI.com's Jon Wertheim noted Sharapova "getting off with no penalty was going to be virtually impossible." However, two years "sounds very severe" (SI.com, 6/8).
NO EXCUSE: 3WireSports.com's Alan Abrahamson said the ITF's report makes it "abundantly plain" that Sharapova knew she was taking meldonium and that she "was hiding it." It also showed her manager "had no clue what the WADA prohibited list is." Abrahamson: "That's inexcusable for someone who's making $29 million a year" (“Nightly News,” NBC, 6/8). USA TODAY's Christine Brennan writes when one of the world's "iconic athletes willfully disregards repeated email warnings that a drug she has been taking for 10 years is being banned, and continues to use it after the ban, and hides the fact that she is taking it from her doctors, there's only one word for that kind of behavior: cheating" (USA TODAY, 6/9).
