SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Irish sports betting operator Paddy Power has announced the withdrawal of its sponsorship of former Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons basketballer Dennis Rodman trips to North Korea in response to “recent events” in the communist Republic of North Korea.
Mr Rodman returned from his third trip to North Korea on Monday, ten days after it was revealed by foreign news sources that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had executed his powerful uncle and North Korean parliament member Jang Song-Thaek,
On previous Paddy Power sponsored trips Rodman had spoken of his friendship with North Korea’s young dictator. Rodman first visited the country in February 2013, following a controversial nuclear test by the state. Dennis Rodman could be seen on the trips sporting a Paddy Power baseball cap, Rodman visits promoted the sport of basketball and world peace.
a brief Paddy Power statement read – “It was really a reaction to the worldwide focus and total condemnation of the North Korean regime over recent events,”
Paddy Power attracted criticism from some human rights groups, including Amnesty International, for sponsoring the trips to the repressive regime.
In September the company announced a basketball “invitational” would take place between North Korea and a team picked by Rodman, in the country’s capital Pyongyang.
However, it appears the recent purge of a political rival has proved too much for Paddy Power.
Earlier this month, Barack Obama’s press secretary Jay Carney said the execution of Kim’s uncle is a sign of “the brutality of the regime” and its “low regard for human life.”South Korean President Park Geun-hye has described recent events as a “reign of terror”.
