Porsche, Tag Heuer Join Nike in Suspending Sharapova Ties

  • Sponsors review relationship after tennis star fails drug test
  • Nike deal said to be worth $70 million over eight years

Maria Sharpova Fails Drug Test, What's Next?

Luxury watch-maker TAG Heuer and German sports-car brand Porsche joined Nike Inc. in suspending their relationship with Maria Sharapova after the world’s highest-paid female athlete admitted to failing a drug test.

Russia’s Sharapova, considered one of the best female tennis players of her generation, said in a news conference Monday in Los Angeles that she had been taking meldonium for health reasons for a decade and had not noticed when it was banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency as of Jan. 1. She has been provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Federation effective March 12.