Charitable Rodman Gets Reinstated

Dennis Rodman is ready to play--for free.

Rodman, suspended by the NBA since kicking a cameraman on Jan. 15, was reinstated by the league on Tuesday and will return to the Chicago Bulls next Tuesday.

Rodman’s agent, Dwight Manley, said his client will play his first 11 games after the suspension for free as a gesture of appreciation to his fans. Manley said Rodman will “donate the money on behalf of himself and the Bulls to 11 assorted charities.”

Rodman’s 11-game suspension will cost him more than $1 million in salary and incentives. Manley said Rodman will donate his regular salary to charity during his first 11 games back, but the agent did not say what the exact total would be.

Rodman is eligible to return against the Charlotte Hornets, the Bulls’ first game after the All-Star break. NBA Commissioner David Stern warned that the Bulls star could face banishment from the league if his conduct continues to be a problem.

Rodman, who had been ordered to undergo counseling during his suspension, met Stern last Friday to make his case for reinstatement.

“I am satisfied that Dennis recognizes that his conduct in the Minnesota game was unacceptable,” Stern said. “Dennis told me that while he does not plan to change the way he plays the game, he will conform his conduct on the playing court to acceptable standards, and he knows that any further incidents of this nature may end his career in the NBA.”