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Boardroom is a sports, media and entertainment brand co-founded by Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman and focused on the intersection of sports and entertainment. Boardroom’s flagship media arm features premium video/audio, editorial, daily and weekly newsletters, showcasing how athletes, executives, musicians and creators are moving the business world forward. Boardroom’s ecosystem encompasses B2B events and experiences (such as its renowned NBA and WNBA All-Star events) as well as ticketed conferences such as Game Plan in partnership with CNBC. Our advisory arm serves to consult and connect athletes, brands and executives with our broader network and initiatives.

Recent film and TV projects also under the Boardroom umbrella include the Academy Award-winning Two Distant Strangers (Netflix), the critically acclaimed scripted series SWAGGER (Apple TV+) and Emmy-nominated documentary NYC Point Gods (Showtime).

Boardroom’s sister company, Boardroom Sports Holdings, features investments in emerging sports teams and leagues, including the Major League Pickleball team, the Brooklyn Aces, NWSL champions Gotham FC, and MLS’ Philadelphia Union.

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August 31, 2026
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Lionel Messi is calling time on his Argentina career. The 39-year-old legend announced his international retirement Monday, ending a run that produced 124 goals in 203 appearances and, most importantly, the 2022 World Cup. Messi also won back-to-back Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, cementing his place among Argentina’s all-time greats. After 20 years with the national team, Messi, who netted four goals in Inter Miami’s win on Saturday, says the time has come to step away.

The US Open has made a last-minute bet on prediction markets, signing Kalshi as its exclusive prediction-market partner, with the deal taking effect immediately. The agreement reportedly came together after new USTA CEO Craig Tiley pushed to get a partnership done this year. The USTA will also block competing prediction-market platforms from advertising at the tournament or during its ESPN broadcasts, marking a major step into the rapidly expanding sports prediction-market business.

OpenAI’s ad business is already a billion-dollar operation. The company says advertising has reached a $1 billion annualized revenue run rate just months after launching, adding another major revenue stream alongside subscriptions, enterprise products, and API usage. OpenAI began testing ChatGPT ads in the U.S. in February and has since expanded them to more than 40 countries. The milestone comes as the company prepares for a potential blockbuster IPO and works to diversify its business.

Dolly Parton’s legacy will live on through Dollyfest, a two-day festival planned for Nashville and London next year. The event was originally scheduled to celebrate Parton’s 80th birthday earlier this year, but will now honor the country icon following her death last week. Organizers say the festival reflects Parton’s own vision and will replace a traditional public memorial, which she had not wanted. Parton’s family held a private service Friday, in keeping with her wishes.

Netflix is bringing Ryan Clark‘s The Pivot into its growing lineup of talent-driven programming. The platform and the award-winning sports podcast have struck a multi-year deal that will make new video episodes available exclusively on Netflix twice a week starting on Sept. 8, while its existing library will also stream there. The partnership also gives Netflix first negotiation rights on new Pivot25 Productions projects, expanding Clark’s vision for a broader sports, entertainment, and culture media company.

Scottie Scheffler is now the PGA Tour’s all-time career prize money leader. His second Tour Championship victory earned him $10 million, pushing his career winnings to $130.4 million and past Tiger Woods’ $121 million mark, which Woods had held since 2000. Scheffler also secured his fifth consecutive season atop the Tour’s money list with $30.9 million in 2026. At just 30, he already has 22 PGA Tour wins, including four majors.

Alex Cooper’s Unwell is expanding its YouTube presence. Unwell Summer Games launches Sept. 7, bringing 16 reality stars, creators, and internet personalities together to compete for a $250,000 prize. The series follows Unwell Winter Games and comes shortly after Unwell secured an investment valuing the company at $500 million. Cooper is increasingly building Unwell beyond podcasting, with original programming, live events, and film and TV production now part of its broader media strategy.

A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum are out for the FIBA Women’s World Cup, reshaping Team USA’s roster ahead of Friday’s opener against China. Wilson will sit out to rest after a heavy WNBA workload, while Plum’s lingering calf injury will also end her 2026 WNBA season. Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron will replace them, with the U.S. leaning on a younger core featuring Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers in their World Cup debuts.

Aaron Donald is coming out of retirement, returning to the Rams on a one-year, $20 million deal with up to $10 million in incentives. His reunion with Myles Garrett gives Los Angeles a formidable defensive front. Elsewhere in the NFL, Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been placed on the NFL’s commissioner’s exempt list and will remain paid while he faces misdemeanor domestic abuse charges. Jacobs is barred from practicing and playing while on the list.

Hilary Duff is Reebok’s newest face. The singer, actress, and entrepreneur joins the brand as an ambassador for its “Unfiltered & Unstoppable” campaign, which spotlights movement, comfort, and confidence across Reebok’s active and lifestyle offerings. Duff’s partnership adds another pop-culture name to Reebok’s roster, alongside Karol G, Angel Reese, and Julian Edelman. The deal also reflects Authentic Brands Group’s continued push to position Reebok beyond traditional sportswear and deeper into lifestyle and culture.

Howard Stern is changing the format and expanding his reach. Stern will return to SiriusXM on Sept. 14 with one live show per week, down from two, under a new deal that runs through 2028. He’s also bringing the show to HBO Max, where a video adaptation of each episode will debut on Sept. 17, with new installments every Thursday. The move gives Stern a bigger streaming footprint while scaling back his traditional radio schedule.

The New York Islanders are adding a new investor. Venture capitalist David Shuman, founder of Lateralus Holdings, has agreed to acquire a minority stake in the franchise, pending NHL approval. The deal won’t affect team governance or operations. Shuman, whose portfolio includes Oura and WebAI, joins a growing ownership group as NHL valuations surge. The Islanders were valued at $1.93 billion last year and are expected to surpass $2 billion soon.

Image: Michael Steele / Getty Images

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Boardroom Staff