Dennis Rodman's salary, earnings over his career, and net worth: 2024
Dennis Rodman has a $500k net worth. He was an American basketball star, actor, and political diplomat. Known for his tough defense, rebounding skills, and unique personality, Rodman played 14 seasons in the NBA, mainly with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls. He won five NBA championships—two with the Pistons and three with the Bulls. Lately, he has also played a role in diplomacy between the U.S. and North Korea.
Rodman was honored many times for his impact on the game. He was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year twice and made the All-Defensive First Team seven times in a row. He led the league in rebounds for seven straight seasons, showing his dominance on the boards. Off the court, his flamboyant personality and changing hairstyles made him a media favorite, often overshadowing his basketball achievements. His high-profile relationships and off-court antics turned him into a 1990s cultural icon.
During his NBA career, Rodman earned $27 million in salary, which is about $43 million today with inflation. His highest earning season was 1996-97, when he made $9 million (around $15 million today). That year, he was the 10th highest-paid player in the league. Unfortunately, Rodman’s extravagant lifestyle led to financial troubles later in life.
Financial Problems
On March 27, 2012, Rodman faced charges in court for owing $860,376 in child support to an ex-wife. His lawyers claimed he was broke and couldn't pay. Despite earning nearly $27 million in salary during his career, he lost a lot due to fines and suspensions. For example, in 1997, he was fined $200,000 and suspended for 11 games after kicking a referee, costing him $1 million in earnings.
Early Life
Dennis Keith Rodman was born in Trenton, New Jersey, on May 13, 1961. He is believed to be the oldest of his father's 47 children. His father, Philander, left the family and settled in the Philippines. Rodman grew up in Dallas with his mother, Shirley, who worked various jobs to support the family. He didn't see his father again until 2012. Rodman was employed at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport as a janitor following his graduation from South Oak Cliff High School. He was only 5 ft 6 in high school and didn't make the sports teams. After a growth spurt to 6 ft 7, he gave basketball another try. He played at Cooke County College for one semester before transferring to Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where he excelled and earned MVP honors.
Professional Basketball Career
Rodman caught the eye of the Detroit Pistons during college. He entered the NBA draft in 1986 and was picked in the second round by the Pistons. He played with the Pistons until 1993, then joined the San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks. He left the Bulls in 2000, ending his basketball career.
Nicknamed "The Worm," Rodman was known for his rebounding and aggressive style, as well as his off-court behavior. He won five NBA championships, was a two-time All-Star, and led the league in rebounds seven times. He earned All-Defensive First Team honors seven times and won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year twice. His Pistons #10 jersey was retired in 2011, the same year he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
In his 14 NBA seasons, Rodman played 911 games, scored 6,683 points, and grabbed 11,954 rebounds, averaging 7.3 points and 13.1 rebounds per game in 31.7 minutes per game.
Wrestling Career
From 1997 to 1999, Rodman pursued professional wrestling in WCW (World Championship Wrestling). After retiring from basketball, he took wrestling more seriously. His first match was in July 1997 at Bash at the Beach, teaming up with Hulk Hogan. He had several more matches before retiring from wrestling in 2000. He briefly returned in 2008 for Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling, winning the series.
Other Pursuits
Rodman had an MTV reality show in 1996 called "The Rodman World Tour." He appeared in movies like "Double Team" with Mickey Rourke and Jean-Claude Van Damme, which earned him three Golden Raspberry Awards. He also acted in "Simon Sez" and "Cutaway," and appeared in TV shows like "3rd Rock from the Sun."
In 2005, Rodman posed naked for PETA and became Commissioner of the Lingerie Football League. He was on the UK version of "Celebrity Big Brother" and the UK reality show "Love Island." He also appeared on "Celebrity Mole" and won $222,000. He was a contestant on "Celebrity Apprentice" in 2009 and 2013.
In recent years, Rodman has served as an unofficial diplomat to North Korea, making several trips since 2013. In June 2018, he helped facilitate a peace summit between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un. He has a sponsorship deal with Pot Coin, a cryptocurrency company, and often wears their gear during his trips to North Korea.
Rodman has written two autobiographies. For his first book, "Bad as I Wanna Be," he promoted it wearing a wedding dress. For his second, "I Should Be Dead By Now," he promoted it from a coffin. In 2013, he released a children's book titled "Dennis the Wild Bull," co-written with Dustin Warburton and illustrated by Dan Monroe.
Personal Life
Rodman was first married to Annie Bakes, with whom he had a daughter, Alexis, born in 1988. He married Carmen Electra in 1998, but they divorced four months later. In 2003, he married Michelle Moyer, with whom he had a son, Dennis Jr., and a daughter, Trinity. Both children are athletes—Dennis Jr. played college basketball for Washington State and later USC, while Trinity is a professional soccer player for the Washington Spirit. The couple divorced in 2012.
Rodman has struggled with alcohol addiction. He was arrested for drunk driving in 1999 and 2004, and entered rehab in 2008. He relapsed in 2009 but appeared on "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" and entered a sober living facility. In January 2014, Rodman entered rehab again after a severe drinking episode. In January 2018, he was arrested for DUI and received probation. In October 2019, he was charged with battery for slapping a man at a bar.
Rodman bought a home in Newport for $825,000 in 1996, which he sold for $3.8 million in 2004. He also sold a home in Orange County for $1.1 million after a year.