Dennis Rodman, a former NBA player, announced on Saturday that he intends to travel to Russia to lobby for the release of Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who was recently sentenced to nine years in jail on drug-related charges. Griner was arrested in February at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport and later found guilty on narcotics charges; she was given a nine-year jail term earlier this month. The athlete was found guilty by a Russian court of narcotics possession and smuggling as well as willful illegal activity. If Rodman travels to Russia, it won’t be the first time he has engaged in covert diplomacy with a world leader whose relations with the United States have been strained.
The White House considered alternatives to obtain Brittney Griner’s release after her detention triggered a global uproar. In order to release Griner, the U.S. has suggested a prisoner swap, but Russia hasn’t openly objected as a Russian judge gave Griner a nine-year jail term. If Dennis Rodman travels to Russia, it won’t be the first time the former Chicago Bulls star has immersed himself into world politics. The well-known athlete has drawn attention for his cordial friendship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and for his several trips to that nation.
Brittney Griner joined the league after being chosen by the Phoenix Mercury in the first round of the 2013 WNBA Draft out of Baylor University in which she won the Player of the Year Award and a national collegiate championship in 2012 . One of the top defensive players in the Women’s National Basketball Association, the 31-year-old was chosen in 2021 as one of the top 25 players in WNBA league history. Since starting her professional career in 2013 with the US women’s national basketball team, she has also won two Olympic gold medals and a WNBA title. She also gained prominence as the first gay athlete to sign a million dollar deal with Nike.
Brittney Griner has been confined by the Russian government ever since she was arrested on February 17 at the Sheremetyevo International Airport on the grounds that she was in possession of hashish oil-filled vape cartridges, which are prohibited in that country. Griner competes abroad during the WNBA summer season, like many other female basketball players, to improve her earnings and keep up her performance. Griner was detained when she was heading to the Russian Women’s Basketball Premier League squad of UMMC Ekaterinburg. She was then handed out a 9 year jail term earlier this month even though her attorney’s submitted an appeal.
Rodman, the now 61-year-old five-time NBA champion disclosed intentions to visit Russia and request the release of Griner, the two-time Olympic gold winner following the WNBA player’s nine-year jail term for alleged drug use. In a Washington, D.C., restaurant, Rodman stated: “I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl and I’m trying to go this week.” Rodman only needs a visa from Moscow to enter Russia, but the State Department has issued a travel notice strongly cautioning against American citizens visiting the country. This was in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, for which the country has imposed harsh sanctions and is providing military support to Ukraine.
Over the years, Rodman has developed connections with world leaders that have strained ties with the United States, resembling an informal ambassador in some ways. Rodman’s actions are justified given that Griner’s detention set up a global commotion, leading the White House and others to consider their possibilities for securing Griner’s release. In in order to free Griner, the U.S. has suggested a prisoner swap, but Russia hasn’t openly objected. Griner’s detention has added to the already existing friction between the two nations while also opening up new diplomatic possibilities.
If Rodman can get something positive going, Go for it.
But Putin is a cold fish and Rodman should do well to remember not to agree to anything on behalf of the US Government.