What is it about Dwight Manley's clientele lately? Maybe this NBA lockout thing is starting to make certain players with a certain agent go off the deep end.
Manley, the Newport Beach-based agent, doesn't have a huge stable of clients like David Falk and Leigh Steinberg. But it's clear Manley's small group is big enough to keep him plenty busy.Three of Manley's NBA stars have made national news in less than a week - all for interesting reasons, to say the least.
The Utah Jazz's own Karl Malone started the trend last Wednesday when he demanded to be traded on his Los Angeles-based radio show. Malone, who has been with the Jazz for his entire 13-year illustrious career, upset most of his fans locally and was criticized by columnists nationwide for his ultimatum to Jazz owner Larry H. Miller. Many people wondered if Manley was behind Malone's strong comments in which he said he would never play another game in a Jazz uniform.
About the same time Malone was demanding a trade, Dennis Rodman - Manley's original client - was sued by a waitress for making unwanted sexual advances. Manley was quoted in the press as saying the waitress's claim was groundless.
Then Rodman was back in the news on Monday after reports surfaced that he married "Baywatch" actress Carmen Electra over the weekend in Las Vegas.
Manley openly questioned whether the quickie marriage was valid, saying, "From what I can determine, it's not legal. It sounds like he was deeply intoxicated. Obviously anyone that would marry somebody that was intoxicated to the point that they couldn't speak or stand had ulterior motives of some sort."
Manley also called Electra and her people "leeches."
Rodman, in a handwritten statement on Tuesday, admitted that he was married and indicated that he was happy with that fact. "I love Carmen and am proud to be married to her," he said in the statement.
Rodman also seemingly disapproved of Manley's comments and apologized "for any false statements given on my behalf regarding my marriage to Carmen Electra."
But Malone and Rodman weren't the only locked-out basketball stars associated with Manley who were making news. Detroit Pistons center Brian Williams announced that he now wants to be know as "Bison Dele."
Williams - or Dele - was not available for comment, but Manley was once again being quoted. Manley said Dele made the name change for personal reasons he would not disclose.
Manley's other high-profile NBA client is Vernon Maxwell, a man who has well earned his nickname "Mad Max" over the years.
Maxwell hasn't been involved in a recent controversy, but give him - and Manley - some time. It appears it's bound to happen before long.