Maria Sharapova sponsors divided amid Doping Ban

Maria Sharapova’s endorsement deal with Porsche will remain “on hold” until a final ruling on her planned appeal of a two-year doping suspension, the German luxury automaker said Thursday. 

The announcement came just one day after Nike Inc. (NKE), another key Sharapova sponsor, opted to reinstate its deal with the 29-year-old Russian tennis star.

“We have taken note of the recent International Tennis Federation (ITF) ruling in the case of Maria Sharapova and are especially aware that it was decided that she was not accused of intentionally violating the World Anti-Doping-Code,” Porsche said in a statement to FOXBusiness.com. “As Maria will appeal the decision, we will continue to keep all activities with her on hold until the final judgment has been reached.”

After a months-long investigation, an International Tennis Federation panel ruled Wednesday this week that Sharapova would serve a two-year suspension after testing positive for a banned substance at the Australian Open last January. The ITF Tribunal determined that Sharapova’s failed test was “not intentional,” but said she bore “very significant fault” for failing to realize that the substance had been added to the ITF’s list of banned supplements.

Sharapova’s sponsors have had a mixed response to her suspension. Cosmetics company Avon (AVP) said it will let its deal with Sharapova expire, adding that it had planned to do so “regardless of the current situation.”