Dennis Rodman Plans To Trip Russia As An Informal Diplomat To Seek The Release Of Brittney Griner

Updated on August 22, 2022 19:08 PM by Ava Sara

Dennis Rodman to the rescue?

Former Chicago Bulls star Dennis Rodman says he plans to visit Russia as he vowed to seek the prison release of Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who was earlier this month sentenced to nine years in prison on drug charges stemming from her February arrest at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport.

A Russian court found the athlete guilty of drug possession, smuggling, and committing the crime. Her lawyer has since filed an appeal.

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On August 20, Dennis Rodman, 67, told NBC News at a restaurant in Washington, D.C., "I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl," adding, "I'm trying to go this week."

Prisoner swapping:

Meanwhile, Bill Richardson, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, recently told the Associated Press (AP) that he was hopeful about the chances of a prisoner swap with Russia that would bring Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, home to the U.S.

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Rodman's trip to North Korea!

If Dennis Rodman goes to Russia, it won't be the first time the former NBA player has inserted himself into international affairs. Earlier, the Celebrity Mole alum raised eyebrows for his friendly relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and has made multiple visits to his country.

Rodman describes Putin as a 'cool guy':

In 2014, Rodman famously called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "cool guy" after a trip to Moscow, where he acted as an informal spokesperson for his sport.

Referring to Russians, he told Fox Business that year, "They don't know about American basketball, American football," adding, "I went over there to represent America as far as basketball is concerned."

He added, "I'm not a politician, I'm just a basketball ambassador. That's it."

That same year, then-CNN anchor Chris Cuomo pressed Rodman on the topic, asking if he couldn't use his friendship with Jong-un to release then-imprisoned American Kenneth Bae from North Korea.

The athlete famously flipped out on the journalist and seemed vehemently opposed to the idea of using his connections to help Bae.

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Rodman apologized for his remarks:

He later apologized for his comments, saying he had been drinking and was stressed out from his recent trip abroad. He also checked in to a rehab facility for a reported 30 days.

When Bae was ultimately released back to the States later that year, Rodman took credit; he said, "No doubt, our trips helped influence Kenneth Bae's release," adding, "and I'm happy he is coming home safely."