Dennis Rodman's agent claims the former NBA star was not paid by the North Korean government for his recent trip there with a team largely composed of retired pro players.
According to ESPN, Rodman's agent Darren Prince insists the North Korean government did not finance any part of the trip and that the Irish betting company Paddy Power PLC covered expenses.
Former NBA players Charles D.Smith, Kenny Anderson and Cliff Robinson were all part of the team of players Rodman recruited to venture to North Korea and compete in a basketball game to celebrate Korean leader Kim Jong Un's birthday.
NBA commissioner David Stern told CNN this week that Rodman was influenced by "a flash of North Korean money" to stage the game in Pyongyang. Rodman apologized on Thursday for comments he made about detained American missionary Kenneth Bae, saying he had been drinking and was under pressure as he organized the game.
Later in the week, he was captured singing "Happy Birthday" to Jong Un at the start of Wednesday's exhibition. Rodman also dedicated the game to his "best friend" Kim, who along with his wife and other senior officials and their wives watched from a special seating area.
Prince also told ESPN that England-based production company, Chief Productions, filmed the trip for a planned documentary, and another outfit, Koryo Tours, sold VIP packages to the game and will make a donation to a children's charity in North Korea with a portion of the proceeds.
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