In a not-so-shocking development, Dennis Rodman telling an NBC reporter at a restaurant in Washington, D.C., that he “got permission to go to Russia” to try to secure the release of Brittney Griner is not a tactic straight out of the textbook of high stakes international hostage negotiation.
Rodman may have what he considers the ultimate trump card, though, telling that reporter the one advantage he has over someone who is trained, experienced, and competent at this is that “I know Putin too well.”
The hall of fame hooper might be the only person to think his idea isn’t flat-out nuts. Reports quote Joe Biden administration officials and proven hostage negotiators saying Rodman’s plan is “a terrible idea.”
Jonathan Franks is a spokesperson for the Bring Our Families Home Campaign. Franks was part of the team that freed Trevor Reed, who was wrongfully detained. He knows what it takes in a tense and dangerous game of diplomacy.
“Dennis has no business being in Russia, just flat out. I don’t think a questionably sober [person] is going to be able to negotiate the release of Brittney Griner, and, more importantly, there’s a plan. She’s got the best in government and the best of the private sector.”
Franks is referring to former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who is the best person that could be in charge of trying to get freedom for Griner after she pleaded guilty to drug charges. Richardson may not have ever led the NBA in rebounding and sporting multiple facial piercings, but he is pretty much an All-Star in negotiating prisoner swaps.
Here’s more from Franks in an Insider story.
“They’re actually doing a decent job working to get her home at the moment. They’ve done unprecedented stuff in furtherance of that goal.”
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