Name change good for game - White

The official document that states White's name change

Veteran player Jimmy White said he changed his name to James Brown to ease snooker's financial problems.

He made the decision after new sponsors of the brown ball at the Masters, HP Sauce, approached him with the request.

"Since the Government stopped tobacco sponsorship two years ago the game's been in trouble," the 42-year-old said.

"We haven't got any major sponsors and that's why I changed my name. I don't want to leave this sport in five years and watch it go down the drain."

The first time White will be known under his new moniker will be at the forthcoming Masters tournament at the Wembley Conference Centre.

They're even saying the Worlds may go to Wembley Jimmy White Win Masters tickets!

"If I'm victorious as James Brown and then go to the World Championship and win that, they'll still say Jimmy White hasn't won the Worlds," he told the BBC.

"I'm definitely having James Brown on the Masters trophy. I'll be the 'Godfather' of snooker."

White, who beat Terry Griffiths to win The Masters in 1984, hailed the Wembley venue as one of the finest arenas for snooker.

"It's great. It's the home for the sport in London. It holds the most people and it's packed every match. They're even saying the Worlds may go to Wembley," he added.

The London-based star opens up his Masters campaign against Matthew Stevens on Monday.

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