Before yesterday’s puff of white smoke announced we would soon be meeting a new Pope, the biggest development at the papal conclave may have occurred outside the Sistine Chapel, rather than inside it.
Dennis Rodman was back. And he had somehow managed to inject himself into the middle of another international news frenzy.
The former NBA star – fresh off his highly-controversial visit to North Korea – had appeared in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. His stated mission (to any reporter who would listen) was to campaign for Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana.
“I just want to see the first black Pope,” Rodman said (video below). “This is not a publicity stunt. It’s not about money. I never really look at things about money.”
VIDEO: Dennis Rodman campaigns in the Vatican
Yet if the Cardinals hadn’t elected a Pope yesterday, Rodman’s “campaign” would have continued – including plans to drive a custom-built Pope mobile into St. Peter’s Square.
Rodman’s visit was sponsored by Paddy Power, an Irish-based online bookmaker who took bets on the outcome of the papal conclave.
According to Scott, that objective coincided with Rodman’s current career focus: becoming a crusader for world peace.
Sporting a “Money Back if he’s Black” t-shirt, a brightly-colored floral jacket and a Paddy Power hat, Rodman’s appearance caused quite a stir – even if at times he seemed confused about who exactly he was there to support.
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Paddy Power is themselves no stranger to headline-grabbing (and controversial) promotions.
The company once paid Danish soccer star Nicklas Bendtner to flash a pair of green “Paddy Power” undies during the 2012 Euro Cup (he was later fined by UEFA). They once offered a bet on U.S. President Barack Obama’s chances of being assassinated during his first term in office.
Recently, the company took advantage of the horse meat scandal in Eastern Europe to offer free “Horse Meat Burgers” promoting their horse racing sports book, in order to “motivate under-performing horses”.
“Paddy Power as a brand is quite mischievous and out there, and we don’t mind ruffling a few feathers,” Scott said. “Dennis is the same way, so I guess you could say it’s a match made in heaven.”
Thanks to snowy conditions in northern Italy, Rodman’s custom Pope-mobile was late in arriving to the Vatican.
“The Paddy Power Pope-mobile is almost as old as the papal tradition itself, give or take a few years,” said Claire Davies, another Paddy Power employee. “But it still looks great and is the perfect pimped-up vehicle.”
“Dennis might want to take it home but, unfortunately for him, it belongs to us.”
As for whether the company has any intention of sponsoring Rodman’s future “ambassadorial” trips – including a planned return visit to North Korea this August – Scott remains open to the idea.
“Never say never.”
With files from the Associated Press
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