• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Dennis Rodman is flying to Russia to help release Brittney Griner

Home> NBA

Published 00:50 22 Aug 2022 GMT+1

Dennis Rodman is flying to Russia to help release Brittney Griner

If he manages to secure her release, it will be the second time that Rodman has aided a US citizen trapped in jail.

The SPORTbible Team

The SPORTbible Team

By Rachel Lang

Basketball champion Dennis Rodman is jetting off to Russia to plead with President Vladimir Putin to release American WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for drug possession. 

"I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl," Rodman told NBC News.

"I'm trying to go this week."

If he manages to secure the release of the 31-year-old WNBA star it will be the second time that Rodman has aided a US citizen trapped in jail abroad.

Advert

In 2014, the Chicago Bulls icon claimed he managed to negotiate the release of several US citizens detained in North Korea, including Christian missionary Kenneth Bae, Time reports.

Dennis Rodman.
Alamy

Bae was charged and imprisoned in North Korea after he was accused of attempting to overturn the government.

Rodman was able to visit North Korea thanks to his close relationship with dictator Kim Jong Un, who he has described as a 'friend for life'.

Advert

He has also previously described President Putin as 'cool' and has visited Russia several times.

Griner, 31, is currently behind bars after she was arrested at a Russian airport back in February for drug possession.

Police found cannabis oil cartridges in her luggage, which has since been confirmed to have contained less than a gram of THC.

She was subsequently found guilty during a politically charged trial and was sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison.

Advert

The WNBA star has since been languishing in a jail that has been likened to the Soviet Union's notorious gulag labour camps.

Brittney Griner.
Alamy

Griner's wife, Cherelle spoke to CNN about the situation back in July, revealing that her wife was forced into a 'very, very, very tiny cage' for every five-hour trip to court in Russia,

"It's really, really difficult. This is not a situation where the rhetoric is matching the action," Cherelle began.

Advert

She continued: "I do have to unfortunately push people to make sure that the things they're telling me are also matching their actions and so it's been the hardest thing to balance because I can't let up."

Griner was arrested less than a week before Russia sent troops into Ukraine, which aggravated already high tensions between the two countries.

The invasion led to sweeping sanctions being imposed by the United States, and Russia denounced the US for sending weapons to Ukraine.

The US-Russia relationship has been fraught with tension ever since, with Rodman now hoping to heal some of those wounds while rallying for Griner's release.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Australia, NBA, Basketball, Russia

The SPORTbible Team
The SPORTbible Team

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

10 hours ago
a day ago
2 days ago
  • 10 hours ago

    Michael Jordan had zero doubts when naming the best atmosphere during legendary career that 'always made him nervous'

    The Chicago Bulls legend has played in some raucous atmospheres in his time, but one stood out.

    NBA
  • a day ago

    LeBron James' iconic teammate makes Bronny James feelings clear as future looks certain

    Bronny shone in LA Lakers’ defeat to the LA Clippers in the week with the younger James looking to make his mark

    NBA
  • 2 days ago

    LeBron James' five-word response to Bronny James shot during LA Lakers match is telling amid trade rumours

    LeBron James is one of the GOATs of NBA.

    NBA
  • 2 days ago

    Shaq's feud with Robert Griffin III explained as he threatens to punch NFL quarterback

    NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal continued his feud with Robert Griffin III with an x-rated threat.

    NBA
  • Tyrese Haliburton is about to cost Pacers astronomical sum of money after devastating setback
  • Dennis Rodman has backflipped on his plans of travelling to Russia to free Brittney Griner
  • Joe Biden Calls On Russia To Release Brittney Griner 'Immediately'
  • LeBron James' five-word response to Bronny James shot during LA Lakers match is telling amid trade rumours