Dennis Rodman, known primarily for his impressive career as an NBA player but also for his seemingly bizarre friendship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, stated he will be going to Russia to negotiate the release of WNBA athlete Brittney Griner.
31-year-old Griner is currently incarcerated in a Russian prison serving a 9 year sentence after being convicted of intentional drug trafficking for being found in possession of less than a gram of cannabis oil in a vape at the Moscow airport in February.
While at a restaurant in Washington D.C., Rodman told NBC News:
"I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl.I'm trying to go this week."
A senior official from the Biden administration didn't seem to think Rodman would be particularly helpful in this instance, however.
"It’s public information that the administration has made a significant offer to the Russians and anything other than negotiating further through the established channel is likely to complicate and hinder release efforts."
The official was referring to a deal proffered by the US where it would release Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in exchange for the release of Griner and Paul Whelan, a US Marine veteran who has been detained since 2018 when he was arrested and accused of spying.
Rodman has maintained a friendly relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un since attending a basketball exhibition held by the dictator in Pyongyang in 2013. In the months after the exhibition, Rodman played a part in negotiating the release of American missionary Kenneth Bae, who had been accused of attempting to overthrow the government and sentenced to 15 years hard labor.
Rodman tweeted in May of 2013:
"I'm calling on the Supreme Leader of North Korea or as I call him 'Kim', to do me a solid and cut Kenneth Bae loose."
\u201cI'm calling on the Supreme Leader of North Korea or as I call him "Kim", to do me a solid and cut Kenneth Bae loose.\u201d— Dennis Rodman (@Dennis Rodman) 1367948462
He later retracted his statement, saying he would not ask Kim for Bae's release, but Bae was still released in November 2014.
Reactions to Rodman's announcement were largely mixed, with some supporting his efforts and others highly skeptical.
\u201c@Phil_Lewis_ Clearly a lot of folks don\u2019t know his history. This could very well work out. Fingers crossed\u201d— philip lewis (@philip lewis) 1661111647
\u201c@NBCNews Man, if he pulls this off, I'll be speechless. \ud83e\udd1e\ud83c\udffe\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffe\u201d— NBC News (@NBC News) 1661092866
Many cited Rodman's friendship with Kim Jong Un as both a reason for his possible success and a reason to doubt the effectiveness of his effort.
\u201c@Phil_Lewis_ Tbh he\u2019s friends with Kim Jong-Un so I\u2018M not gonna question it \ud83d\ude2d\u201d— philip lewis (@philip lewis) 1661111647
\u201c@Phil_Lewis_ Being besties with one dictator does not mean you can be besties with all dictators.\u201d— philip lewis (@philip lewis) 1661111647
\u201c@Phil_Lewis_ russia is not north korea. this might not work out as he expects.\u201d— philip lewis (@philip lewis) 1661111647
Some were concerned Rodman himself might end up imprisoned in Russia.
\u201c@Phil_Lewis_ And who\u2019s going to get Rodman out?\u201d— philip lewis (@philip lewis) 1661111647
\u201c@Phil_Lewis_ I can already see the breaking news headline: \u201cFormer NBA superstar Dennis Rodman allegedly detained in Moscow on diplomatic trip for Brittney Griner\u201d\u201d— philip lewis (@philip lewis) 1661111647
\u201cDennis Rodman is flying to Russia to see if he can get Brittney Griner released. Have a safe trip Dennis see you in 9 years.\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\u201d— Jericho (@Jericho) 1661102612
It remains to be seen whether Rodman will have the same kind of success in negotiating with Vladimir Putin as he did with Kim Jong Un, but many believe if there's a chance he can help bring Brittney Griner home then it's worth a try.
