Having been tested positive of a banned substance, called "Meldonium," for the upcoming Australian open, the five-time grand slam tennis champion and one of the most popular female athletes in the world, Maria Sharapova, found an ally in her partner chocolatier and producer of her new high-end chocolate line under her sweets brand Sugarpova. Baron Chocolatier defended the athlete and announced that the pre-announced launch of Sugarpovas high-end chocolate will still happen in May.
Sharapova was found positive of meldonium whom she has admitted having been taking for the past 10 years. The substance was added to the list of banned substance just this year. According to the ABC's report, Meldonium is an anti-ischemic drug that helps improve circulation, particularly in the brain.
Maria Sharapova's entry in Wimbledon in 2004 has come a long way from an athlete to the entrepreneur who sold 1.3 million bags of candies in 2013. Her candy brand Sugarpova debuted in London which initially sells gummy candies.
Last February, Maria Sharapova and Baron Chocolatier announced their partnership and are set to launch Sugarpova Premium Chocolate in May. That was announced before Maria's controversial failed drug test due to "meldonium". Unlike most of Sharapova's brand sponsors who had already cut their ties with her after the controversy, Baron Chocolatier is adamant on supporting the athlete. The Guardian quoted Baron Chocolatier's Vice President Christopher Matinna saying "Maria has been a role model for millions of people and she is a woman of integrity,".
Despite losing most of her brand sponsors, Sharapova is hopeful that the launch of her premiere chocolate brand will increase the growth of Sugarpova. Baron Chocolatier and Sharapova are optimistic about their launch. While Sharapova is facing a long-term suspension, it looks like she will still have her hands full from Sugarpova's Premium Chocolate line.
