Maria Sharapova's name change brings back memories of other sportstars doing the same

2) Garry Hocking/Whiskas

Garry Hocking aka Whiskas

In the late 90s, Geelong Cats, an Aussie Rules Football team, were in heavy debt and needed a miracle to salvage the club from administration.

Enter club captain Garry Hocking. Hocking agreed take up a sponsorship offer from Whiskas, the cat food maker that promised to help the team in their dark times. As part of the deal, Hocking, for a brief period, legally changed his name via deed poll to Whiskas, so as to lessen the financial burden on his team.