Dennis Rodman, once one of the most feared defenders in the NBA, is known as much for his unique persona as he is for his basketball success. As of 2024, Dennis Rodman’s net worth stands at just $500,000, a stark contrast to his former multimillion-dollar earnings. With five NBA championships under his belt, a Hall of Fame induction, and a global reputation for his eccentric behavior, Rodman’s life has been anything but ordinary.
Early Life and Unexpected Rise
Dennis Keith Rodman was born on May 13, 1961, in Trenton, New Jersey. He was raised in Dallas by his mother, Shirley, after his father, Philander Rodman, abandoned the family. Dennis did not reconnect with his father until 2012. Growing up, Dennis was far from a sports prodigy. He was only 5’6″ in high school and didn’t make much of an impact on the basketball court.
However, a massive growth spurt took him to 6’7″, and his game drastically improved. He played briefly at Cooke County College but flunked out. He then transferred to Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where his rebounding skills caught national attention. That would change the course of his life.
NBA Career and Rebounding Legacy
Rodman entered the 1986 NBA Draft and was selected in the second round by the Detroit Pistons. He became a key member of the “Bad Boys” Pistons, helping the team win two NBA titles. Known for his unmatched rebounding ability and defensive pressure, Rodman stood out even without high scoring numbers.
He later joined the Chicago Bulls, where he won three more championships from 1996 to 1998, playing alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. He also had short stints with the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks before retiring in 2000.
In total, he played 911 games, scored 6,683 points, and grabbed 11,954 rebounds, averaging 13.1 rebounds per game. Rodman was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year twice, made the All-Defensive First Team seven times, and led the league in rebounding for seven consecutive seasons.
His No. 10 jersey was retired by the Pistons in 2011, and that same year, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Career Earnings and Financial Downfall
Rodman earned just under $27 million in NBA salary, which equals about $43 million today when adjusted for inflation. His peak salary came during the 1996-97 season, when he earned $9 million, making him the 10th highest-paid player in the league.
In addition to salary, Rodman earned millions more through endorsements, book sales, TV appearances, and wrestling matches. But his lavish lifestyle, costly fines, and legal issues took a massive toll.
In 2012, Rodman made headlines when he appeared in court for owing $860,000 in child support. His lawyer claimed he was completely broke. The financial issues stemmed from multiple poor decisions, including fines like the infamous 1997 groin-kick incident, which alone cost him $1 million in lost earnings and suspensions.
Professional Wrestling and Reality TV
From 1997 to 1999, Rodman pursued professional wrestling with WCW, teaming up with Hulk Hogan and participating in popular events like Bash at the Beach and Road Wild. He even fought Randy Savage in 1999 and later joined i-Generation Superstars of Wrestling in 2000 before retiring.
He made a comeback in 2008, winning Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling.
Rodman also made waves on TV with “The Rodman World Tour” on MTV and appearances in films like Double Team (1997) and Simon Sez (1999). Though criticized for his acting, Rodman embraced his showbiz fame. He starred on several reality shows, including Celebrity Big Brother, Love Island (UK), and Celebrity Apprentice, where he appeared in both 2009 and 2013.
Unusual Diplomacy and Publicity Stunts
Since 2013, Rodman has made several trips to North Korea, forming an unlikely friendship with Kim Jong-un. He helped open doors for peace talks between North Korea and the U.S., notably attending the Trump-Kim summit in Singapore in 2018.
He secured a sponsorship with Pot Coin, a cannabis cryptocurrency, which bankrolled his trips to Pyongyang. Rodman was often seen wearing Pot Coin merchandise, reinforcing his unusual blend of diplomacy and self-branding.
His book promotions were equally unconventional. For his 1996 autobiography “Bad as I Wanna Be,” Rodman wore a wedding dress. For his 2005 memoir “I Should Be Dead By Now,” he posed inside a coffin. In 2013, he also released a children’s book, Dennis the Wild Bull.
Personal Life and Family
Rodman has three children. His first daughter, Alexis, was born in 1988 with his first wife, Annie Bakes. He later married Carmen Electra in 1998, though the marriage lasted only a few months. In 2003, Rodman married Michelle Moyer, and they had two children: Dennis Jr. (DJ) and Trinity.
DJ Rodman played college basketball for Washington State and later transferred to USC, while Trinity Rodman has become a professional soccer star for the Washington Spirit and is a U.S. national team standout.
Rodman and Moyer officially divorced in 2012, despite years of trying to reconcile.
Struggles with Addiction and Legal Issues
Rodman’s post-NBA life has been filled with alcohol addiction and legal trouble. He entered rehab multiple times, appeared on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, and lived in a sober home in Hollywood Hills. He reconciled with his estranged mother during treatment.
He has been arrested for DUIs, disturbing the peace, and battery in various incidents. In 2018, he was arrested again for DUI and received three years of probation. As recently as 2019, Rodman was involved in a battery case in Delray Beach, Florida.
Real Estate
Rodman once owned a two-story Newport Beach home that he purchased in 1996 for $825,000 and sold in 2004 for $3.8 million. He also owned property in Orange County which he sold for $1.1 million after only a year.
Though no longer involved in large real estate ventures, Rodman’s past investments reflect the wealth he once had.
