Former Lakers F Dennis Rodman has been "dumped as a
pitchman" by CA-based fast-food chain Carl's Jr. for the
third time, according to Greg Hernandez of the L.A. TIMES.
Suzy Brown, spokesperson for CKE Restaurants, the parent
company of Carl's Jr.: "He's no longer a Laker so we'll no
longer use him." Brown said that Carl's Jr.'s deal with
Rodman was "based on the number of games" he played and
"included a provision" that he would no longer be paid if he
was "dropped or quit the team." More Brown: "We knew the
risks involved, which is why we set up the contract the way
that we did. If Rodman didn't play for any reason other
than injury, we didn't have to pay him." Carl's Jr. "is not
ruling out" using Rodman in the future. Carl's Jr. dropped
Rodman as a spokesperson twice in '97 due to controversial
behavior and statements (L.A. TIMES, 4/17).
A GOOD RAP? CA-based record label Death Row Records has
"offered" Rodman a job in their Artist Relations department.
Death Row's Trece Tiburcio: "We would love to have Dennis be
a part of our company. We have had contact with his agency.
Our artists seem to relate to Dennis" (AP, 4/17).
BOOZE CRUISE? On Friday, Lakers execs couldn't get in
touch with Rodman and instead told his agent, ICM's Steve
Chasman, that they were cutting him. Lakers GM Mitch
Kupchak, on Chasman: "I find it difficult to believe he was
surprised. But he said he was surprised" (L.A. TIMES,
4/17). NEWSWEEK's Allison Samuels writes that Rodman's
teammates "were neither surprised nor sorry to see him go."
One Laker said Rodman "was coming into practice --if he got
there -- smelling like pure alcohol" (NEWSWEEK, 4/26 issue).
