We're Squeaky Clean !

[Canary42]

Odd how large organisations rush to disassociate themselves at the slightest whiff of "dirt"

I refer of course to the treatment meted out to Maria Sharapova - booted out by Nike and Porsche, and now suspended as UN Ambassador. I wouldn't mind betting they've all been involved in morally questionable activity from time to time - but powerful enough to hide it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/35812083

[VHG]

But surely "hiding it" the the key statement.

Maria was hiding it (the drug taking) till it all came out, but once it has come out no company is going to want to be linked to a person taking drugs.

It is a bit like the doctor Harold Shipman. I am sure everyone thought he was a great doctor and would happily have recommended him to their friends and neighbours.

But then it turns out he has been killing his patients, so has to go to prison.

He had been "hiding" his crime, but once it came out what he had done everyone turned against him.

(I know Maria did not kill anyone, but the same "hiding it" situation applies).

[Bazile]

Indeed , it boils down to the public image and perception

It's better to get rid of a potential 'problem' , before that problem forces you into a flurry of damage limitation .
The companies are in the business of selling sports products and motors to Joe public .

If keeping her on is going to mean there is a drop off in joe public buying their goods and therefore an adverse effect on their bottom line , then they will ( as they have done ) drop her like a hot potatoe.

Privately , the executives / shareholders of these companies , have probably got sympathy for her , but dollars overides any loyalty here .

[Peter Pedant]

If you are convicted of a criminal offence Canary in my case drink driving
then you have to grin and bear it as the gleeful finger pointing occurs

life is like that and what doesnt kill you makes you stronger

and as someone pointed out in completely different circumstances: you will find out things in the future which will completely change your view of your accusers - - - and that of course turned out to be absolutely true

the hypocrisy of some was breath-taking

but hey that is life really innit ?

however if you take lots and lots of mun mun from a sponsor
you have to dance to their tune dont you ?
and the more money the bigger the leaps .....

Is jeremy Clarkson sponsored by anyone - or Manu Tulagi ( harbour jumper ) or Joey Barton ? ( erm cant remember what he did but it wasnt nice )

[Peter Pedant]

I mean the easy question is ( for those sponsored sportsmen who cant decide if they should murder their mother in law or not ) is

what will the sponsor do when he finds out ?

( he wont find out is NOT the right answer )

[EDDIE51]

Bit more than a 'Whiff' of dirt
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Sport/Question1479016.html
Overwhelming evidence that she is 'Guilty as Charged'.
None of her excuses stand up to scrutiny, especially as she was warned at least 5 times that her medication was being made illegal from 1st January!
Not only was she personally warned, all her doctors , trainers and coaches were warned as well but still she took it!

[agchristie]

Would have been interesting if she was sponsored by VW.

There's a thought, Sharapova using software to bypass emission levels. Though she has trouble reading links on email attachments :(