Dennis Rodman has never been shy about his world travels, and during a recent livestream with streamer Neon, the Hall of Famer explained why Russia remains one of his favorite destinations. In classic Rodman fashion, the story quickly went from outrageous to surreal.
“One is Russia. I know Putin very well… I’ll tell you, I’ve met Putin five times, man. You see these top models, models from hell, you know. He’s got his own hotel, his own Ferrari and Lamborghini dealership, stuff like that.”
“He said, ‘Dennis, do you want a Lamborghini?’ I said, yeah, I’ll take one. I had it for a week, man. Just a week. Back then, I was single.”
Dennis Rodman tells NEON that his favorite trip to go on is to Russia, saying he has met Putin 5 times and that he has top models, his own hotel, and even offered him a free Lambo for a week 👀 pic.twitter.com/9N3fE7GitN
— ryan 🤿 (@scubaryan_) August 16, 2025
The clip instantly went viral, another addition to the library of stories that make Rodman one of the most unpredictable figures in sports history. According to Rodman, his encounters with Russian president Vladimir Putin were nothing short of a spectacle: lavish dinners, fleets of luxury cars, and entourages of models that seemed pulled from a Hollywood movie set.
While most NBA legends spend their retirement on golf courses or in broadcast booths, Rodman continues to live life in a way that blurs the line between political diplomacy and celebrity excess.
Rodman’s ties to Russia are not new. Back in 2022, he even considered traveling there to help negotiate the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner, who had been detained on drug charges. At the time, Rodman told NBC News, “I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl. I’m trying to go this week.”
Although he ultimately canceled the trip, Griner was eventually freed in a prisoner exchange. Even so, the moment underscored how unusual Rodman’s international relationships are, few athletes could even think of calling both Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin acquaintances.
Rodman has also spoken before about the lifestyle that surrounded his visits with Putin. In a 2023 interview with Vlad TV, he detailed two weeks spent in Russia, saying, “Every time we go out it’s like, oh s**t, but he had 12 to 13 models with him.”
For Rodman, it was another chapter in his globe-trotting life that often reads like fiction.
Today, the 63-year-old former Bulls star is still grabbing headlines off the court. He’s currently dating rapper and DJ Yella Yella, with whom he’s been linked since at least 2022. She frequently shares moments of their relationship on social media, showing a more grounded side of the man once nicknamed “The Worm.”
But whether it’s his whirlwind romances, political connections, or wild travel stories, Rodman continues to thrive as one of the most colorful characters in basketball history.
From top models and five-star hotels to free Lamborghinis and unexpected friendships with world leaders, Dennis Rodman’s love for Russia may sound unbelievable, but for him, it’s just another day in the life.
