Maria Sharapova Seeks Name Change To Sugarpova [Report]
Maria Sharapova to Maria Sugarpova?
Tennis superstar Maria Sharapova wants a name change — but there’s a catch.
She only wants to keep her new name for two weeks, during the upcoming US Open.
Sharapova, or most likely her lawyers, have reportedly petitioned the Florida Supreme Court for the quickie, temporary name change, according to various news outlets including CBS. Sharapova is a Florida resident.
Sugarpova is the tennis star’s new line of premium candy that she wants to promote. According to the new venture’s website, “Sugarpova is a premium candy line that reflects the fun, fashionable, sweet side of international tennis sensation Maria Sharapova.”
The Herald Sun of Australia reports that “Sharapova intends to wear the Sugarpova symbol — a set of lips — on her clothes during the tournament she last won in 2006.”
The US Open runs from August 26 through September 9 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City.
Forbes reports that Maria Sharapova is the world’s highest paid female athlete for the ninth consectuvie yuear, with an income of $29 million from prize money, endorsements, and appearance fees. With regard to the Sugarpova candy business, Forbes notes that “The gummy candies are now available in 15 countries and the company expects to sell 1.5 million bags of candy in the first 12 months at $5 to $6 a bag. Sharapova is plowing any profits back into the company and hopes to expand into areas like fashion, accessories, and make-up.”
Sharapova made headlines last week when she fired tennis great Jimmy Connors as her coach after only one match that she lost. “Not the right fit for this time in my career,” Sharapova said. Sharapova hired Connors after her disappointing Wimbeldon showing in July.
Do you think that the courts will allow Maria Sharapova to change her name to Maria Sugapova for just two weeks?
