Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss has denied recent claims made by five-time NBA champion Dennis Rodman that the two briefly dated during his tenure with the team, instead suggesting that she was tasked with watching over him.
During an appearance on “In Depth with Graham Bensinger,” Buss was asked about the rumored relationship, which Rodman revealed during an interview with VLADTV when discussing his relationship with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.
Los Angeles Lakers Dennis Rodman in action vs. the Utah Jazz at The Forum. Inglewood, California, on April 6, 1999. (John W. McDonough /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
“I did not date Dennis Rodman,” said Buss, who took over as the controlling owner following her father Jerry Buss’ death in 2013.
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“I mean yes, I guess in other words, when my dad brought on Dennis Rodman to the team it was kind of like, ‘Let’s make sure that we know where he is at all times.’”
Buss suggested that during Rodman’s brief stint with the team in 1999, where he only played in 23 games, she acted as somewhat of a babysitter.
“So like, if it’s about, ‘Hey where are you gonna be tonight? OK, we’re all going to this restaurant, or we’re going to this club, or we’re going to this beach, or we’re going to wherever Dennis is going to be.’ You could say it was dating to say that it was making sure that I had an eye on him.”
Jeanie Buss speaks during a ceremony unveiling and permanently placing Kobe Bryant’s hand and footprints in the forecourt of the TCL Chinese Theatre on March 15, 2023, in Hollywood, California. (JC Olivera/Getty Images)
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During Rodman’s interview, he claimed that he dated Buss for six months and that his relationship with the owner’s daughter made for a tense relationship with Lakers stars Bryant and O’Neal.
“I knew Kobe and Shaq wouldn’t like me because the whole attention became ‘Dennis’ – It shifted from them to me quick.”
“They rarely would talk to me, even in games,” he continued. “I think that’s the main reason why they cut me. They went to the upper hand, and they didn’t want me there anymore.”
Chicago Bulls forward Dennis Rodman looks at the referee after being called for illegal defense against the New York Knicks at the United Center in Chicago. (Chris Wilkins/AFP via Getty Images)
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Rodman played 14 seasons in the NBA, winning two titles with the Detroit Pistons and three with the Chicago Bulls. After being released by the Lakers in the offseason, he would go on to play briefly for the Dallas Mavericks.