?If You?re Going to Pay Me $6 Million, I Can?t Deal With That?: Dennis Rodman Made a Bold $22 Million Offer to Join Michael Jordan at Bulls Only to Eventually Agree for Almost Half in 1996

Five-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman had a stellar career in the NBA. The Worm dominated the league on the glass and defense for over a decade. However, when it came to the other less glamorous side of the business involving lengthy contracts and unending clauses, Rodman failed miserably. Moreover, Rodman’s contract negotiation with the Chicago Bulls will go down in history as one of the most jarring agreements ever.

After his stint with the Detroit Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs, Rodman landed in Chicago. He arrived in Chicago at the height of the Bulls dynasty. But before another three-peat ensued, the Bulls went through a grueling impasse with Rodman.

Dennis Rodman went 360? during his negotiations with the Chicago Bulls

The birth of the infamous and eccentric Bad Boy persona of Dennis Rodman took place in San Antonio. However, his new antics cost him his stay in the heart of the lone star state. Due to compatibility issues and constant altercations with teammates and management, Rodman got traded to the Chicago Bulls in 1995.

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After paying the Worm the $2.5 million left on his contract, the Bulls offered him an extension worth $6 million. The then-two-time NBA champion took grave offense to the supposedly humiliating offer. In an interview, Rodman once commented on the offer and said, “I want to be with the Bulls, but if you are going to pay me $6 million, I can’t deal with that.”

He then demanded a two-year contract worth $11 Million per year and vowed to retire if the Bulls failed to come through. However, in a surprising move after a long-drawn impasse, Rodman went back on his threats of retirement. He agreed to a one-year contract worth less than half of what he initially demanded for two years – $9 Million.?

The grueling impasse between Rodman and the Bulls had become a very public affair. Rodman vehemently protested the underwhelming initial offer and exalted the situation to the public sphere, which brought forth ridicule for the Bulls. However, after the dust settled, the Bulls were in a prime position to dominate, which they eventually did. Rodman, alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, completed the second three-peat of the Bulls from 1995 to 1998.

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For his All-time contributions, the Bulls awarded Rodman with another one-year contract worth $4.5 million. The Worm earned over $16 million in salary in Chicago, forming a significant chunk of his $25 million career earnings.