Brittney Griner: Dennis Rodman planning trip to Russia to seek WNBA star’s release
WASHINGTON – Basketball Hall of Famer star Dennis Rodman hopes to take his bad boy persona to Russia and get WNBA star Brittney Griner released from prison.
“I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl,” Rodman told NBC News at a restaurant in Washington, D.C. “I’m trying to go this week.”
Rodman is not required to receive special permission from the U.S. to make the trip, the news outlet reported. He would only need to secure a visa from Russian authorities.
Griner, 31, was sentenced to nine years in prison on charges of smuggling drugs with criminal intent on Aug. 4. The Phoenix Mercury star was arrested at a Moscow airport in February for possessing cannabis in her luggage at the Moscow airport, The Associated Press and Sports Illustrated reported.
Cannabis is illegal in Russia, according to The New York Times.
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Russian media reported on Aug. 15 that attorney Maria Blagovolina, one of the lawyers representing Griner, confirmed that the appeal had been filed. Griner, whom the U.S. classified as “wrongfully detained” in May, has been in Russian custody for 185 days, according to Sports Illustrated.
It is not the first time that Rodman, 61, who played 14 seasons in the NBA and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011, has attempted informal diplomacy with a nation that has strained relations with the U.S.
The five-time NBA champion has established a cordial relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un over the past decade, making multiple visits to the Asian nation, NBC News reported. He also called Russian President Vladimir Putin “cool” after a 2014 trip to Moscow.
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“I know Putin too well,” Rodman, who was in the nation’s capital for a sneaker convention, told the news outlet.
He did not elaborate on his plans.
Rodman also appeared on the sidelines when former President Donald Trump met with Kim in Singapore in 2018.
The State Department issued a travel advisory that strongly discourages U.S. citizens from visiting Russia.
NBC News has reached out to White House national security officials for comment on Rodman’s plans.
Check out these memorable photos of former NBA star Dennis Rodman through the years.
1987: Dennis Rodman of the Detroit Pistons grabs a rebound against the Houston Rockets during a 1987 NBA game at the Summit in Houston.
1991: Dennis Rodman, power forward for the Detroit Pistons, during the NBA Midwest Division basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on March 25, 1991, at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver. The Pistons won the game 118-94.
1994: Dennis Rodman of the San Antonio Spurs rebounds against the Utah Jazz during Game One of the 1994 Western Conference Quarterfinals played on April 28, 1994, at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio. San Antonio defeated Utah 106-89 but lost the series 3-1.
1996: Chicago Bulls’ basketball star Dennis Rodman, dressed in a wedding gown, signs copies of his new book "Bad As I Wanna Be" at Barnes and Noble on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York, on Aug. 21, 1996.
1999: Dennis Rodman stands with his wife, Carmen Electra, during a press conference at the Planet Hollywood restaurant in Hollywood, California, on March 22, 1999.
2000: ”Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig (left) hits ”The Worm” Dennis Rodman with a trash can during their fight at the Superstars of Wrestling Event, held at the Sydney Superdome in Sydney on July 30, 2000.
2003: Former NBA player Dennis Rodman and actress Brande Roderick pose at the 2003 Tall Pony Radio Music Awards gift lounge, outside the Aladdin Hotel and Casino, October 27, 2003, in Las Vegas.
2004: Dennis Rodman of the Long Beach Jam in action against the Fresno HeatWave of the American Basketball Association in Rodman’s first professional game in four years on Jan. 16, 2004.
2005: Former NBA star Dennis Rodman arrives at Maxim Magazine’s "Hot 100 for 2005" at the Montmartre Lounge on May 12, 2005, in Los Angeles.
2006: Actor Dennis Rodman with wife Michelle Moyer and kids arrive at the world premiere of "Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest" held at Disneyland on June 24, 2006, in Anaheim, California.
2007: Dennis Rodman (left) and Michelle Moyer pose in the front row at the Christian Audigier Fall 2007 fashion show during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week held at Smashbox Studios on March 21, 2007, in Culver City, California.
2008: Former NBA player Dennis Rodman and Comedian Carrot Top celebrate at Hawaiian Tropic Zone’s Torrid Nightclub inside the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on May 16, 2008, in Las Vegas.
2009: Dennis Rodman and Joan Rivers attend "The Celebrity Apprentice" season finale at the at American Museum of Natural History on May 10, 2009, in New York City.
2011: Dennis Rodman gestures during the Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on August 12, 2011, in Springfield, Massachusetts.
2012: Dennis Rodman attends the "Celebrity Apprentice All Stars" Season 13 Press Conference at Jack Studios on October 12, 2012, in New York City.
2013: Dennis Rodman attends "All Star Celebrity Apprentice" Finale at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 19, 2013, in New York City.
2014: Dennis Rodman Visits The FOX Business Network at FOX Studios on December 9, 2014, in New York City.
2015: David Tutera and Dennis Rodman attend WE tv’s joint premiere party for "Marriage Boot Camp Reality Stars" and "David Tutera’s CELEBrations" at 1 OAK on January 8, 2015, in West Hollywood, California.
2017: Former NBA star Dennis Rodman (center) poses with North Korean basketball players at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on June 15, 2017.
2018: Dennis Rodman speaks onstage during the Comedy Central Roast of Bruce Willis at Hollywood Palladium on July 14, 2018, in Los Angeles.
2019: Dennis Rodman attends Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club Debuts New Times Square Location on August 15, 2019, in New York City.
2020: Dennis Rodman attends Michael Rubin’s Fanatics Super Bowl Party at Loews Miami Beach Hotel on February 1, 2020, in Miami Beach, Florida.
2022: Dennis Rodman and Michael Jordan pose for photos after the introduction of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 20, 2022, in Cleveland, Ohio.
SAN ANTONIO – APRIL 04: Center Brittney Griner #42 of the Baylor Bears is pressured by Tina Charles #31 and Caroline Doty #5 of the Connecticut Huskies during the Women’s Final Four Semifinals at the Alamodome on April 4, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – APRIL 01: Nnemkadi Ogwumike #30 of the Stanford Cardinal looks to pass in the first half against Brittney Griner #42 of the Baylor Bears during the National Semifinal game of the 2012 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship at Pepsi Center on April 1, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – APRIL 01: Nnemkadi Ogwumike #30 of the Stanford Cardinal drives for a shot attempt in the second half against the Brittney Griner #42 of the Baylor Bears during the National Semifinal game of the 2012 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship at Pepsi Center on April 1, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – APRIL 01: Brittney Griner #42 of the Baylor Bears reaches for a rebound in the first half against Chiney Ogwumike #13 of the Stanford Cardinal during the National Semifinal game of the 2012 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship at Pepsi Center on April 1, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – APRIL 01: Brittney Griner #42 of the Baylor Bears reaches for a rebound in the second half against Chiney Ogwumike #13 of the Stanford Cardinal during the National Semifinal game of the 2012 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship at Pepsi Center on April 1, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – APRIL 03: Brittney Griner #42 of the Baylor Bears celebrates late in the second ahlf against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the National Final game of the 2012 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship at Pepsi Center on April 3, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – APRIL 03: Brittney Griner #42 of the Baylor Bears celebrates after she cuts down a piece of the net after they won 80-61 against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the National Final game of the 2012 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship at Pepsi Center on April 3, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 11: College basketball player Brittney Griner poses with the Best Female Athlete Award in the press room during the 2012 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 11, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 18: 2012 NCAA Women’s Basketball champion Baylor University Lady Bears 6-foot 8-inch junior center Brittney Griner pumps her fist as U.S. President Barack Obama talks about her basketball skills in the East Room of the White House July 18, 2012 in Washington, DC. The Baylor Lady Bears became the first NCAA basketball team to complete a 40-0 season by defeating Notre Dame 80-61 in the NCAA women’s championship. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 25: Brittney Griner #15 of the USA Basketball Women’s National team drives to the basket past the defense of Kiah Stokes #11 USA Basketball Women’s Select team in the second half of the game at Galen Center on July 25, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 12: Brittney Griner #15 of United States stands attended for the national anthem before the women’s basketball game against Canada on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Youth Arena on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 20: Brittney Griner #15 and head coach Geno Auriemma of the United States celebrate winning the Women’s Gold Medal Game between United States and Spain on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 20: Laura Nicholls #4 of Spain goes for the ball against Brittney Griner #15 of United States during the Women’s Gold Medal Game between United States and Spain on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – AUGUST 31: Jewell Loyd #24 of the Seattle Storm looses the ball as she drives past Brittney Griner #42 and DeWanna Bonner #24 of the Phoenix Mercury during game three of the WNBA Western Conference Finals at Talking Stick Resort Arena on August 31, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SAITAMA, JAPAN – JULY 27: Brittney Griner #15 of Team United States celebrates against Nigeria during a Women’s Preliminary Round Group B game on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Saitama Super Arena on July 27, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
SAITAMA, JAPAN – AUGUST 08: Brittney Griner #15 of Team United States drives to the basket against Team Japan during the first half of the Women’s Basketball final game on day sixteen of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games at Saitama Super Arena on August 08, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Bryan Snyder – Pool/Getty Images)
SAITAMA, JAPAN – AUGUST 08: Brittney Griner #15 of Team United States drives to the basket against Team Japan during the first half of the Women’s Basketball final game on day sixteen of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games at Saitama Super Arena on August 08, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Eric Gay – Pool/Getty Images)
SAITAMA, JAPAN – AUGUST 06: Brittney Griner #15 of Team United States looks on against Serbia during the second half of a Women’s Basketball Semifinals game on day fourteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Saitama Super Arena on August 06, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
SAITAMA, JAPAN – AUGUST 08: Brittney Griner, Skylar Diggins, and Diana Taurasi of Team United States pose for photographs with their gold medals during the Women’s Basketball medal ceremony on day sixteen of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games at Saitama Super Arena on August 08, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
SAITAMA, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: Marine Fauthoux #4 of Team France goes up for a shot against Brittney Griner #15 of Team United States during the first half of a Women’s Basketball Preliminary Round Group B game on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Saitama Super Arena on August 02, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Charlie Neibergall – Pool/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – AUGUST 31: Diamond DeShields #1 of the Chicago Sky lays up a shot ahead of Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury during the first half of the WNBA game at the Footprint Center on August 31, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 23: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury goes up for a jump ball against the New York Liberty during the first half of the first round WNBA playoffs at Grand Canyon University Arena on September 23, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 03: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury handles the ball during Game Three of the 2021 WNBA semifinals at Desert Financial Arena on October 03, 2021 in Tempe, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Aces 87-60. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 06: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury during the first half in Game Four of the 2021 WNBA semifinals at Footprint Center on October 06, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 08: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury kisses her wife Cherelle Griner in the stands after the Mercury defeated the Las Vegas Aces 87-84 in Game Five of the 2021 WNBA Playoffs semifinals to win the series at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 8, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 08: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates with Mercury President Vince Kozar after the team defeated the Las Vegas Aces 87-84 in Game Five of the 2021 WNBA Playoffs semifinals to win the series at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 8, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 08: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after the team defeated the Las Vegas Aces 87-84 in Game Five of the 2021 WNBA Playoffs semifinals to win the series at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 8, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 13: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury puts up a shot over Azurá Stevens #30 of the Chicago Sky during the second half in Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Finals at Footprint Center on October 13, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Sky 91-86 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 13: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury slam dunks the ball against the Chicago Sky during the first half in Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Finals at Footprint Center on October 13, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 17: Courtney Vandersloot #22 of the Chicago Sky drives to the basket against Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury during Game Four of the WNBA Finals at Wintrust Arena on October 17, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
