Dennis Rodman plans visit to Russia in support of Brittney Griner

Moscow, Russia - Dennis Rodman, the ex-NBA star who says he knows Vladimir Putin well, revealed his plan to travel to Russia in support of incarcerated WNBA star Brittney Griner.

Dennis Rodman (r.) says he has received permission to travel to Russia, where he will campaign for Brittney Griner's release.
Dennis Rodman (r.) says he has received permission to travel to Russia, where he will campaign for Brittney Griner's release.  © Collage: EVGENIA NOVOZHENINA / POOL / AFP & Tim Nwachukwu / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Griner was sentenced this month to nine years at a Russian prison.

She was detained at a Moscow airport in February after custom officials said vape canisters with cannabis oil were found inside her luggage.

The report doesn’t specify whom the New Jersey-born Rodman (61) received permission from, though he only needs a visa to travel to Russia.

Caitlin Clark roasts Michael Che for jokes about women's sports in viral SNL appearance
Athletes Caitlin Clark roasts Michael Che for jokes about women's sports in viral SNL appearance

Rodman described the Russian President Putin as "cool" in 2014 after traveling to the country, according to NBC News.

He claimed to "know Putin too well" in NBC News’ report this weekend. Rodman also has a relationship with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un and reportedly believes he played a role in the country’s release of American prisoner Kenneth Bae in 2014.

The US State Department urges Americans against traveling to Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February.

Rodman won two NBA titles with the Detroit Pistons and three more with the Chicago Bulls during his career, which spanned 1986 to 2000. He was voted the NBA’s defensive player of the year two times.

Cover photo: Collage: EVGENIA NOVOZHENINA / POOL / AFP & Tim Nwachukwu / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

More on Athletes: