Basketball legend Dennis Rodman to play at least one game in ToPo line-up
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Former NBA legend Dennis Rodman's visit to the Finnish basketball league looks set to become a reality.
The Helsinki-based Torpan Pojat (ToPo) basketball club and the 44-year-old Rodman have signed a contract according to which Rodman will appear in at least one of Topo's home games in November.
Rodman is scheduled to arrive in Finland on the 5th of November. The next day he will appear in the ToPo line-up in Helsinki's Ice Hall arena, more than likely against ToPo executive director Aleksi Valavuori's former club, Honka of Espoo.
When selecting the venue, Valavuori contacted the larger, 13,000-seat Hartwall Arena as well. In the end, however, he decided that the Ice Hall (capacity around 9,000) on Nordenskiöldinkatu "looked more like a Rodman kind of place". With this Valavuori referred to the basketball legend's colourful and often controversial career on and off the basketball court.
Rodman played in the NBA between 1986-2000 and won the NBA championship five times with the Detroit Pistons (1989, 1990) and the Chicago Bulls (1996, 1997, 1998). Rodman completed his last full NBA season in the Chicago colours in 1997-98.
Rodman still holds numerous NBA rebound records. The 198-centimetre Rodman became known as a fierce defender who would often stop guys "twice his size".
According to Valavuori, Rodman - who also became famous for his piercings, tattoos, ever-changing hair colour, film roles, and his overall flamboyant life-style that extended from cross-dressing to dates with the likes of Madonna - is still a tough athlete.
Rodman still trains daily and plays basketball all over the world. Last season, for example, he played a few games in Mexico.
Lately he has also appeared in a few exhibition games in China, Valavuori confirms.
"Getting Rodman to Finland is just one of those crazy dreams that now looks set to become reality", Valavuori says.
During the summer Rodman visited Finland to check out the fabled "Wife-Carrying World Championships". Later on, Valavuori ran into him in a Helsinki restaurant and in the small hours he chanced his arm, asking if the five-time NBA champion might be interested in playing in Finland.
Rodman did not turn down the suggestion outright, and Valavuori set the negotiations going. According to the signed contract, Rodman will play at least 15 minutes. If the Honka game goes well, Valavuori will try to persuade Rodman to appear in one other game.
As the Finnish ice hockey league will be on a break because of the coinciding Karelia Tournament, the basketball flooring may stay put in the Ice Hall for a few days. Normally the venue is regularly used as an ice hockey arena, and also for concerts.
According to Valavuori, bringing Rodman to Finland is costing a five-figure sum of dollars. Still, ToPo is not taking any risks, as the fee has been agreed on with sponsors.
Valavuori is certain Rodman's visit will be a hit. "Even a normal game between ToPo and Honka would attract 2,000-3,000 spectators. We expect the venue to be sold out that night."
In the view of ToPo main coach Pekka Salminen, getting Rodman to play for the team is very fortunate. "It is not often one gets to play with a real superstar. Rodman is a class act", Salminen enthuses.
ToPo centre Phil Hickey also confirms that Rodman can teach the team a thing or two about the right attitude towards the game. Despite his age, Rodman will still strengthen ToPo as a team. "Plus he can be an example for the youngsters", says Hickey, who prefers to keep Rodman's on- and off-court personas separate.
The Finnish championship league basketball game between the Rodman-enforced ToPo and Honka will be played in Helsinki's Jäähalli on the 6th of November.
The Helsinki-based Torpan Pojat (ToPo) basketball club and the 44-year-old Rodman have signed a contract according to which Rodman will appear in at least one of Topo's home games in November.
Rodman is scheduled to arrive in Finland on the 5th of November. The next day he will appear in the ToPo line-up in Helsinki's Ice Hall arena, more than likely against ToPo executive director Aleksi Valavuori's former club, Honka of Espoo.
When selecting the venue, Valavuori contacted the larger, 13,000-seat Hartwall Arena as well. In the end, however, he decided that the Ice Hall (capacity around 9,000) on Nordenskiöldinkatu "looked more like a Rodman kind of place". With this Valavuori referred to the basketball legend's colourful and often controversial career on and off the basketball court.
Rodman played in the NBA between 1986-2000 and won the NBA championship five times with the Detroit Pistons (1989, 1990) and the Chicago Bulls (1996, 1997, 1998). Rodman completed his last full NBA season in the Chicago colours in 1997-98.
Rodman still holds numerous NBA rebound records. The 198-centimetre Rodman became known as a fierce defender who would often stop guys "twice his size".
According to Valavuori, Rodman - who also became famous for his piercings, tattoos, ever-changing hair colour, film roles, and his overall flamboyant life-style that extended from cross-dressing to dates with the likes of Madonna - is still a tough athlete.
Rodman still trains daily and plays basketball all over the world. Last season, for example, he played a few games in Mexico.
Lately he has also appeared in a few exhibition games in China, Valavuori confirms.
"Getting Rodman to Finland is just one of those crazy dreams that now looks set to become reality", Valavuori says.
During the summer Rodman visited Finland to check out the fabled "Wife-Carrying World Championships". Later on, Valavuori ran into him in a Helsinki restaurant and in the small hours he chanced his arm, asking if the five-time NBA champion might be interested in playing in Finland.
Rodman did not turn down the suggestion outright, and Valavuori set the negotiations going. According to the signed contract, Rodman will play at least 15 minutes. If the Honka game goes well, Valavuori will try to persuade Rodman to appear in one other game.
As the Finnish ice hockey league will be on a break because of the coinciding Karelia Tournament, the basketball flooring may stay put in the Ice Hall for a few days. Normally the venue is regularly used as an ice hockey arena, and also for concerts.
According to Valavuori, bringing Rodman to Finland is costing a five-figure sum of dollars. Still, ToPo is not taking any risks, as the fee has been agreed on with sponsors.
Valavuori is certain Rodman's visit will be a hit. "Even a normal game between ToPo and Honka would attract 2,000-3,000 spectators. We expect the venue to be sold out that night."
In the view of ToPo main coach Pekka Salminen, getting Rodman to play for the team is very fortunate. "It is not often one gets to play with a real superstar. Rodman is a class act", Salminen enthuses.
ToPo centre Phil Hickey also confirms that Rodman can teach the team a thing or two about the right attitude towards the game. Despite his age, Rodman will still strengthen ToPo as a team. "Plus he can be an example for the youngsters", says Hickey, who prefers to keep Rodman's on- and off-court personas separate.
The Finnish championship league basketball game between the Rodman-enforced ToPo and Honka will be played in Helsinki's Jäähalli on the 6th of November.
Helsingin Sanomat