NBA officials met Wednesday with Dennis Rodman's agent,
Dwight Manley, and members of the NBPA regarding the
league's 11-game suspension of the Bulls forward, according
to Lacy Banks of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. Manley said he was
"encouraged and ... very confident that this matter will be
resolved amicably within the [11-game] minimum." Manley
said that Rodman is "willing to do whatever is necessary to
gain reinstatement," including playing some games for free
and giving money to charity. Banks says the "donation offer
has generated numerous solicitations from charities
applauding Rodman's move and asking to be one of his
beneficiaries" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 1/30). Manley added
that six games into the suspension, Rodman has yet to submit
to counseling (Fred Mitchell, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/30).
League sources tell the N.Y. DAILY NEWS' Mitch Lawrence that
the league is still "in the process of lining up a
professional" to meet with Rodman. The Rev. Jesse Jackson
offered to counsel Rodman and asked to meet with NBA
Commissioner David Stern about lifting Rodman's ban
immediately. Jackson's request was apparently denied as an
NBA spokesperson said, "There will be no meeting today and
nothing is planned." Jackson reportedly did speak with
Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik. Jackson criticized the
suspension: "It's one thing to punish a man. It's another
thing to take away his dignity" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/30).
HEAD BUTT: The Rodman Bobbing Head Doll is set for an
April release by Sports, Accessories & Memorabilia. The
first version with yellow hair will be followed by green and
blond renditions and costs $48.95 (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/30).
