John Salley Explains How Dennis Rodman’s Relationship With Madonna Made Rodman More Free

Dennis Rodman had dated some of Hollywood’s most notable bachelorettes. One of his most talked-about relationships was with Madonna. Rodman’s former teammate John Salley dismisses the theory that Madonna is credited with “turning him out.” 

A recap of Dennis Rodman and Madonna’s relationship

Rodman and Madonna began dating sometime in 1994. Rodman says Madonna spotted him playing in LA while sitting courtside and was immediately drawn to him.

The day of their meeting, Marie Claire reports that Madonna reportedly locked him in her hotel room and told him, “I’m not letting you out.” Per Rodman, he was not a fan of Madonna’s music, and instead of calling her by her famous name, he referred to her as “Tita.”

In the ESPN documentary The Last Dance, Rodman tells the wild story of the singer offering him $20 million to impregnate her. While on a gambling binge in Vegas, Rodman says he received a call from the “Like a Virgin” singer. 

Related: Did Madonna Really Once Want Dennis Rodman’s Baby?

“I picked up the phone and Madonna was like, ‘I’m ovulating, I’m ovulating. Get your a$$ up here’. So I left my chips on the table, flew five hours to New York and did my thing,” he alleged. “We got done and she was standing on her head in an attempt to promote conception—just like any girl trying to get pregnant. I flew back to Las Vegas and picked up my game where I left off.”

Rodman takes credit for Madonna’s popularity in the 90s, once saying he made her a star. He however doesnt feel like she added to his fame, revealing in his own 30 for 30 documentary:

“We had a nice little fling. That came and gone. Madonna didn’t influence me to be a fashion and creative guru. We came together in the perfect time. She was stagnating in her career, and I was coming up. We helped to motivate each other, going in the same direction at that particular time.”

Though the relationship was highly publicized, it was brief, lasting just two months.

John Salley speaks on Dennis Rodman’s relationship with Madonna

Salley played alongside Rodman on the Chicago Bulls. He joined the team to play with Rodman and the crew during rh 1995-1996 season after being dropped from the Toronto Raptors. Salley has always spoken highly of Rodman, once calling Rodman “the greatest teammate you could ever have.” 

Per Salley, Rodman was also electrifying off the court, noting Rodman’s eccentric style and personality – as well as his love life. In a new interview with Vlad TV, Salley speaks on why Rodman is such an attraction to fans, and women. “I think Dennis Rodman is free, I think Dennis Rodman makes it so much easier [to be yourself],” he begins.

Many believe Rodman’s relationship with Madonna gave him the inspiration to be as eccentric as he is, but Salley says that’s far from the truth. 

“Madonna didn’t turn Dennis out but Madonna explained to Dennis that there was a game inside of a game that he wasn’t playing,” Salley alleges. “When he was cutting his hair, when Thomas our friend was cutting words and designs into Dennis’s hair, they were like ‘Oh that’s cute, that’s great’ – when Dennis gets to San Antonio and the demolition guy comes out and Wesley Snipes has blue eyes and his hair cut blonde, Dennis did that…Dennis has literally donor so many things [that shocks people].

Salley believes Rodman “transcends everything that it is to be a professional athlete.”