Wakefield brought some of the negative publicity on himself, as he developed a reputation for flaunting his money and not working as hard as other players. After receiving his bonus, he walked into a car dealership and bought a new Lincoln Zephyr even though he did not know how to drive. When he was threatened with a $25 fine for walking with his spikes in the locker room, he "peeled off the money for the fine while still walking."
Wakefield contributed to some negative attention by flaunting his wealth and not putting in as much effort as other players. After receiving his bonus, he visited a car dealership and bought a new Lincoln Zephyr without knowing how to drive. When fined $25 for walking around the locker room with spikes, he paid the fine while still moving.