Rodman says Jordan turned down invitation to meet Kim Jong Un

Michael Jordan passed on an opportunity to visit Kim Jong Un in North Korea, according to former teammate Dennis Rodman.

"The Worm" spoke about meeting Kim for the first time in 2013 during an appearance on "TMZ Live" on Friday night, revealing that Kim initially extended the invite to Jordan.

"He loved the Chicago Bulls, so basically, he asked Michael Jordan first and Michael Jordan said 'No.' So then he asked about me and I said 'Yes.' And that's how that all started," Rodman said.

Related: Rodman says he'll support 'friends' Trump and Kim Jong Un in Singapore

Rodman also addressed the perception that he supports the North Korean leader.

"I'm not saying that I love Kim Jong Un. No, I said, 'He's a friend because he treats me as a friend,'" he said. "And people keep missing this as, like, I'm supporting this guy. Like, 'Oh he's my best buddy.' No. I'm saying, he's treating me as a friend, so that right there opens a door for everyone else to say, 'Okay, great, let's give this guy a shot.'"