Boardroom (company)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Founder | Kevin Durant, Rich Kleiman |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | International |
Key people | Rich Kleiman (co-founder) |
Number of employees | 25 (2022) |
| Website | boardroom |
Boardroom is a U.S.-based media platform dedicated to the intersection of sports, business, and entertainment. Established in 2019 by Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman, it reaches an international audience.
History
On September 24, 2018, ESPN and Durant revealed The Boardroom, a six-episode series hosted by Rich Kleiman and Jay Williams. The program debuted on February 11, 2019, featuring notable figures such as LeBron James, P. J. Tucker, Maverick Carter, Andre Iguodala, Jack Dorsey, CJ McCollum, and Breanna Stewart.
Boardroom evolved into an independent media entity in 2019 and experienced significant growth during the coronavirus pandemic, which Kleiman identified as a crucial turning point. The second season of "The Boardroom" premiered on ESPN+ on February 12, 2020. Later that year, two podcasts were launched: "Out of Office with Rich Kleiman" and "The ETCs with Kevin Durant".
In May 2022, Boardroom’s first cover story featured Gary Vaynerchuk. By June, The Athletic reported that the company had expanded to a team of 25 employees producing digital content across news, podcasts, video, and social media. The platform introduced the HeadlineToGo newsletter, a daily digest focusing on business news within sports, entertainment, and technology sectors. This newsletter received a Webby Award for Entertainment & Culture websites and was shortlisted for "Best Newsletter" by Digiday.
In September 2023, Boardroom launched Boardroom Advisory, a consultancy designed to link athletes, executives, and brands through business and media collaborations. The following month, Nike released the KD 16 sneaker in a "Boardroom" edition that emphasized the brand’s monochrome aesthetic. The company also broadened its events division—comprising conferences, curated discussions, and exclusive sports gatherings—resulting in a threefold increase in event-generated revenue within twelve months. It earned the title "Most Innovative Brand" at the 2024 Digiday Awards.
In February 2025, Boardroom partnered with Fanatics to introduce Chapter:Next, an initiative aimed at developing professional athletes and management talent. The inaugural gathering is planned for June 2025 as a networking forum for athletes and entertainers. In March 2025, Boardroom announced the Members Club—an exclusive in-person networking community targeted at professionals from sports, media, and finance—with advisory board members including Michael Strahan, Mark Ronson, Mike Levine, and Taylor Rooks. Participants of Chapter:Next are granted complimentary membership access.
Partnerships
Boardroom collaborated with Showtime to produce the documentary NYC Point Gods, which premiered on July 29, 2022. The film was nominated for Outstanding Long Documentary at the 44th Sports Emmy Awards. Additionally, Boardroom co-produced Swagger alongside Imagine Entertainment, CBS Studios, and Undisputed Cinema.
In 2023, Boardroom established a strategic alliance with Major League Baseball (MLB) to promote networking opportunities among players. The company also maintains partnerships with leading brands such as Weedmaps, Coinbase, FanDuel, and CNBC, thereby strengthening its presence across sports, financial services, and emerging industries.