Russian Tennis Beauty Maria Sharapova’s Bizarre $750 Million Business Move Blasted by Conventional Wimbledon in A Serious Controversy in 2014

Maria Sharapova is one of the many tennis players who have had several off-court ventures. One of her first off-court endeavors was Sugarpova, a premium candy company. The brand sells premium candies and Sharapova promoted it with the great panache. It was one project in which Sharapova put her entire energy. However, criticism followed the Russian star for promoting the company prior to the 2014 Wimbledon. 

Sharapova began promoting Sugarpova in 2012, as she loved candies. Although she loved candies since her childhood, Sharapova had to give them up to pursue tennis. She began the company after a shoulder injury, which made her realize that her tennis career won’t last forever. Therefore, she attended business classes during her time off, which helped her decide to venture into the candy business. 

When Maria Sharapova was lambasted for promoting her business

As she geared up for Wimbledon in 2014, her candy corporation opened up a street lounge on Wimbledon street. The pop up shop proved to be highly successful with fans. The Russian also worked in the shop for a little while. But many, including several health authorities, were not happy with the former world number 1.

Professor Tom Sanders, head of diabetes and nutritional sciences at King’s College London, was outraged about Sugarpova, according to a report by Express UK. He was one of the many who lambasted the idea of celebrities promoting junk food. 

He told the Independent, “I find sporting celebrity endorsements of unhealthy foods such as sweets and soft drinks reprehensible.” 

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To further state his anger, Sanders gave the example of the ban on the promotion of cigarettes. “The use of player’s clothing to promote cigarettes was outlawed almost 30 years ago – now it is time to crackdown on player endorsement of unhealthy foods,” Sanders stated.

He also said that he wants an immediate solution to the problem of celebrity promotion of sugary drinks, confectionary items and chips. 

“I would like to see an outright ban on sports personalities being involved in the advertising or marketing of sugar sweetened drinks, confectionary and crisps.”

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Sharapova opened a pop-up the next year regardless of the outrage and saw another peak in sales. With smashing success year after year, Sugarpova is now worth $750 million. Now retired from the sport, the Russian has devoted more time to her other ventures.

Do you think sports celebrities should be more responsible for what products they endorse?