When a high-profile sports figure becomes entangled in a reputational crisis, their brand sponsors must decide how to react. When Russian former tennis world champion Maria Sharapova announced on Monday that she had failed a drug test due to meldonium use (which was advised by a doctor in 2006), several major brands such as Nike and Porsche severed ties with her. Other brands were not as quick to dump Sharapova, who by some measures is the most marketable female athlete in the world.
"The honesty and courage she displayed in announcing and acknowledging her mistake was admirable," racquet-maker Head said in a press release. "Head is proud to stand behind Maria."
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