Showdown verdict: No corporate dollars for Rodman

Below are poll results and selected user comments:

ZONE POLL

Rodman is a complete loser. Any executive that would actually let this guy represent his company should be thrown out by the shareholders. Anyone who would choose to buy a product because Rodman's shabby appearance and crude lifestyle is behind it, should be ashamed.

John Underwood
Marietta, Ga.

Dennis Rodman does nothing to disgrace any of the companies that he sponsors. Dennis has never gone on a crazed drinking spree, or made any negative comments about anyone strictly due to their race, sex or sexual preference. The truth of the matter is that because Dennis is so flamboyant and because he does the things he does with his appearance, he is a companies dream to have him as their spokesperson. Dennis gets a lot of attention, and a majority of it is not bad. Attention is exactly what these companies need.

Dan Walter
W. Lafayette, Ind.

When I see Dennis Rodman's mug in a print ad, I immediately divert my eyes or turn the page. When I see his commercials on television I change the channel or hit the off button. How much of my money do you suppose they've acquired?

Jerome J. Gillson
Halsey, Ore.

I think there is no problem with corporate America advertising Rodman. He represents America in one way due to the fact that he does whatever he wants and that's a constitutional right. Also, teenagers are usually the main buyers of clothes and he appeals to teenagers.

Bryan Cothorn
Baltimore, Md.

I believe it is clearly up to the sponsors what they should do with their money. If they want to sponsor Dennis, fine. If they don't it is also OK. Who are we to judge how others should spend their money? We may not agree with the decision, but the fact is that the companies have the right to sponsor whoever they want, and the public should not have a say in the matter.

David Elson
Woodcliff Lake, N.J.

It's all about money. You have to realize that Rodman attracts attention and the attention attracts potential customers. Besides, look who he is a spokesman for. Obviously the companies he represents are not too concerned with the family value reputation the way Kmart is. If Rodman can bring in the money, so be it!

Dennis Greenfield
Reno, Nev.

Dennis Rodman embodies everything that is wrong with society today. That any company thinks he is an appropriate spokesman for their product, shows how far our moral standards have fallen. Everything he does has been calculated to receive media attention in hopes of improving his own marketability. And of course, the gullible media plays along.

Richard Cudd
Stillwater, Okla.

People seem to forget what a drunk Babe Ruth was. How about Ali, remember when he was turning heads? Dennis is no different. He offers a different market approach than Jordan. Some of his actions do go too far, but you don't see him being arrested for drugs, drinking and driving, or beating his wife. Dennis might not admit it, but some of what he does is a show. The more brash he is, the more money he stands to earn. It is unfortunate that basketball has come to just being about money. But Shaq's salary and Glen Robinson's salary go to show that most players don't play for the game. Dennis has rings and stats that most NBA players will never have. He just has added another way to promote himself. Not everybody is going to like what he does. But if Dennis likes what Dennis does, then that is all that counts!

John H. Jenkins
Normal, Ill.

It is not a question of whether corporate America should "promote" Dennis Rodman. The question is, "Will Americans endorse him?" Companies will place their advertising dollars where they get results, and if that means using Rodman for a pitchman, they will. We choose to buy or not!

Richard A. Evans
Spanish Fork, Utah