FanHouse

For as much attention as the whole A-Rod/Madonna/Lenny Kravitz love triangle has received, I'm surprised that more reporters haven't stopped for a second and thought, "Hey, what if this is nothing but a huge publicity stunt?" According to Page 6, Kravitz is convinced that's exactly what it is, and he fired his manager Guy Oseary (pictured, with A-Rod) two weeks ago when he heard what was in the works:

[Cynthia Rodriguez's personal trainer Dodd] Romero called Kravitz two weeks ago to tip him off that Oseary - who managed Kravitz, Madonna and A-Rod - was about to "pimp out Madonna and A-Rod," said a source. But Kravitz didn't approve and told Romero, "I'll take care of this" - and fired Oseary.

Kravitz was shocked when he was then accused of having a fling with the slugger's wife, said the source. Romero believes Oseary planted the story in retaliation for being dumped.

Indirectly corroborating that story is this tidbit from TMZ.com, which claims that Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie decided all the way back in October to get a divorce but decided to postpone announcing it so as to generate publicity -- and cash -- for Madonna's upcoming tour.

There is a whole PR strategy that has been in place for some time. We're told the Material Girl will be "very visible" in the months leading up to the tour to "generate a lot of publicity." That's when "news" of the marriage's demise would slowly leak out, causing tongues to wag -- and Madonna to be on the cover of papers and mags around the world.

The marriage, we're told, has been effectively over for some time. The couple are friends, and have realized that it is in both of their interests to make a pile of cash from this tour.

And, hey, wouldn't you know it, Ritchie has a movie coming out this fall, as well. These guys make money off being in the public eye, it's in their best interest to have their private lives splashed across the gossip pages. So feel free to follow along breathlessly waiting for the next development if you must, so long as you realize that you're being had.

So how do I explain A-Rod's divorce? The alleged affair with Madonna has been called "the last straw," which suggests they were were also on the rocks long ago. But why would A-Rod want to be wrapped up in this mess? After eclipsing Derek Jeter on the field, maybe he wanted to top his teammate in the tabloids, as well. For all of Jeter's escapades with the fairer sex, he's never generated as much publicity as this alleged A-Rod/Madonna tryst. (You like that? I'm spitting on a rumor by starting a new one of my own! Mmmm ... hyprocrisy tastes good ...)