Dennis Rodman gets unusual offer from Hapoel Tel Aviv

The unusual invitation

Hapoel Tel Aviv’s owner, Ofer Yannay, has made a surprising proposal: invite former NBA star Dennis Rodman to Tel Aviv for a short visit to work with the team. The plan reportedly would see Rodman spend about three days helping players improve their rebounding, with an offer reportedly worth up to $100,000. The club would cover business-class flights and accommodation for Rodman and a few guests.

The invitation comes as Hapoel prepares for a big season under coach Dimitris Itoudis and looks to tighten up a few specific areas — securing rebounds after missed shots being one of the biggest. Rather than rely solely on internal coaching changes, Yannay has reached out to someone whose entire reputation was built around dominating the boards.

What Rodman could bring

Dennis Rodman’s career made him one of the most feared rebounders in the game. Over 14 NBA seasons he averaged roughly 13 rebounds per game, teamed those boards with a modest scoring line, and won five championships. He was a two-time All-Star and twice recognized as one of the league’s top defenders.

Rodman was famous for the small details: studying angles, tracking how the ball came off the rim, reading shooters and positioning himself to grab the ball. That sort of hands-on, detail-focused tutoring could help Hapoel’s players improve timing, positioning and toughness on the glass.

If the visit happens, it would be more than a publicity stunt. Bringing in a true specialist could give Hapoel practical drills and mindset shifts that translate into more possessions and better defensive control. For a club aiming high this season, that kind of edge might be worth the unusual approach.