Rodman released by Crush

Bryce Alderton

Dennis Rodman and the Costa Mesa-based Orange County Crush have

severed ties after one game, with the former NBA rebounding champion

apparently citing a lack of local support for the basketball team.

Meanwhile, team officials are looking into alleged ticket-pricing

discrepancies that could be affecting attendance at games.

Crush management granted Rodman’s request to be released, which

should become official today. “Dennis believes he can be better

served by another area or county,” Crush spokesman Erick Benson said.

“He is on a mission to get back to the NBA as quick as possible. “We

were not going to hold him back. Our goal is to help all of our

players get to the next level.”

Benson believes Rodman, a former West Newport resident who now

resides in Huntington Beach, is interested in returning to the Long

Beach Jam, which he played three games for last season.

Rodman, 43, played the first 2 minutes, 18 seconds of the Crush’s

eventual 124-123 victory over the Las Vegas Rattlers in front of

roughly 300 spectators in the team’s home opener Thursday night at

the Bren Events Center at UC Irvine.

Since Rodman, who signed with the Crush on Nov. 10, is contracted

to play only home games, it was his sole appearance with the squad.

The team is playing at the Bren Center while officials await a more

permanent home at the Orange County Fairgrounds.

A viable reason could exist for a sparse crowd, however.

Kevin Copeland, the Crush’s general manager, said fans trying to

purchase $10 reserved-level tickets for the Las Vegas game from

Ticketmaster’s website were met with a mysterious $50 convenience

charge.

Copeland received an e-mail from a fan, alerting him to the

distorted figure.

Copeland has been in contact with officials at the Bren Center and

Ticketmaster.

“We have legal counsel talking to legal counsel,” Copeland said.

“[Bren Center or Ticketmaster] officials didn’t lose. We lost. One of

them has to come to some kind of settlement before we can move on.”

Officials at the Bren Center and Ticketmaster could not be reached

for comment Tuesday.

The alleged pricing discrepancy played a part in the Crush

canceling its game against Calgary at the Bren Center at 7 tonight,

Copeland said.

But Copeland said the Crush, who are 5-1 after their 98-83 victory

over Portland Monday, intend to play their next home contest Dec. 22

at the Bren Center against, Long Beach.

“I’m disappointed [in losing Rodman],” Copeland said. “I feel that

Dennis needed to give the Crush some time, because it is a new team.

But we feel great about our team with or without Dennis.”