Sharapova Was Suspended for Banned Drugs - Now She Is in the Hall of Fame
The Biz of Sports
Sharapova Was Suspended for Banned Drugs - Now She Is in the Hall of Fame
She stands out not only for her tennis but also for her suspension for the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).
In baseball, the Hall of Fame has refused to induct many of the sport's biggest stars who are tied to steroids and other PEDs. The ITHF refused to answer questions about Sharapova's eligibility for induction.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThis is not the first controversy at the organization and its relationship with Sharapova.
In 2014, the ITHF entered into a partnership with Sharapova and her Sugarpova line of candy. When Sharapova was sanctioned in 2016, the ITHF declined to answer questions about its business relationship with the Russian star.
Multiple sponsors including Nike, Porsche and TAG Heuer suspended or dropped Sharapova after she admitted to failing the drug test. The Tennis Hall of Fame — who characterized Sharapova's Sugarpova as a "sponsor and underwriter" at the launch of the partnership which includes giving free admission to children to the museum — refused to take position.
When the drug controversy initially hit in March 2016, Ann Marie McLaughlin initially told GoLocal, "We are declining to comment."
The Court of Arbitration for Sport in October of 2016 after hearing an appeal from Sharapova in September over her two-year doping ban reduced the Russian tennis star's suspension to 15 months.
By 2017, Sharapova's Sugarpova was closed down.
The ITHF profile for Sharapova is glowing about the profile of her tennis career, but it omits her drug suspension.
ITHF Profile of Sharapova
One of only 10 women in tennis history to achieve a career Grand Slam in singles, Maria Sharapova became the first Russian woman to reach the world No. 1 ranking in 2005. She won her first of five major singles titles in 2004 at Wimbledon, following with titles at the US Open (2006), Australian Open (2008) and twice at Roland-Garros (2012, 2014).
While representing Russia, Sharapova was a member of the 2008 Fed Cup championship team and captured the silver medal in singles at the 2012 London Olympics. During her nearly 20-year WTA career, she achieved the world No. 1 ranking five times, was ranked in the top 5 for 408 weeks and won 36 singles titles.
Besides Sharapova, the American doubles team Bob and Mike Bryan were also elected.
Editor's Note: A prior headline of "illegal drugs" - which they are for the sport of tennis - was changed to "banned."
This story was first published 10/27/24 6:47 PM