Dennis Rodman Says He 'Got Permission' to Visit Russia to Seek Release of Brittney Griner

Dennis Rodman plans on visiting Russia to seek the release of Brittney Griner, who was sentenced to nine years in prison on drug charges earlier this month.

Dennis Rodman attends NBA 75 at All-Star Weekend
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Dennis Rodman attends the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game

Dennis Rodman attends NBA 75 at All-Star Weekend

Dennis Rodman plans on visiting Russia to aid the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was sentenced to nine years in prison on drug charges earlier this month.

In an interview with NBC News, the NBA Hall of Famer revealed he “got permission” to travel to Russia “sometime this week.”

“I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl,” Rodman told NBC while at an event in Washington D.C. “I’m trying to go this week.”

Back in March, Griner was detained by the Russian Federal Customs Service after they found vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage at Sheremetyevo International Airport near Moscow. 

Griner was found guilty by a Russian court in August of charges including drug smuggling and possession. She was subsequently sentenced to nine years in prison. Her legal team has since appealed her conviction.

Should Rodman visit Vladimir Putin in Russia, it wouldn’t be the first time the NBA legend has interacted with world leaders. In 2018, Dennis accompanied former President Donald Trump to Singamore to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. 

Speaking to CNN at the time, Rodman expressed his emotion at attending the historic meeting. “Today is a great day for everybody: Singapore, Tokyo, China, everything,” Mr. Rodman said. “It’s a great day, and I’m here to see it. I’m so happy!”

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