Boardroom with Rich Kleiman

Will Makris, co-founder of the exclusive Zero Bond club in NYC, shares insights into the bustling nightlife scene. He discusses his journey from enthusiast to industry leader, navigating the challenges of launching during the pandemic. Makris highlights the power of membership clubs and the importance of brand integrity. The conversation touches on the evolution of nightlife, celebrity influences, and the rise of wellness-focused drinking trends. Nostalgia for iconic venues blends with a look ahead at what’s next in the vibrant NYC social landscape.

In this exclusive interview, Michael Rubin — founder and CEO of Fanatics — shares the remarkable journey behind building one of the most powerful companies in sports and e-commerce. He tells the story of his journey to becoming a billionaire entrepreneur with deep ties to the NBA, NFL, and global athletes & musicians like Tom Brady & Travis Scott. Rubin opens up about the mindset, hustle, and pivotal moments that shaped his path. Rubin discusses how he scaled Fanatics into a sports merchandising giant, and the key business principles he lives by. He also dives into leadership lessons, risk-taking, and what it takes to stay ahead in fast-moving industries. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a sports fanatic, or someone inspired by success stories, this conversation offers rare insight into the mind of a visionary who turned passion into a business empire.

Few icons represent New York City like Spike Lee — award-winning director, cultural force, Knicks superfan, and the visionary behind Do The Right Thing. In this exclusive Boardroom May Cover Story, Spike sits down with Co-Founder Rich Kleiman for a powerful conversation covering: The meaning behind May 19th — Malcolm X’s 100th birthday, the anniversary of Do The Right Thing, and the Cannes premiere of his latest film Highest 2 Lowest starring Denzel Washington & A$AP Rocky.

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor sits down with Rich Kleiman to talk about the pressure of playing in New York, the blockbuster addition of Juan Soto and his $756M contract, and why the Mets might finally be taking over the city.

Orlando Magic Power Forward Paolo Banchero's path to superstardom wasn't linear. Never considered a viral sensation, Banchero took Coach Mike Krzyzewski's early advice to go to Duke if he wanted a chance to become the NBA's #1 overall draft pick, a dream fulfilled in 2022. Banchero shares this and more in the newest installment of Boardroom Talks, where he sits with Boardroom Co-Founder Rich Kleiman to share his battle back from injury this season, how the chemistry of the Magic has evolved throughout his hiatus and return and how they're working toward a star-packed parity in the NBA similar to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in Boston or Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray in Denver. Later, the two discuss how the role of the NBA star has evolved from Michael Jordan to LeBron James and into present day stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards as well as how the latter, Edwards, shared an instrumental belief on how the playoffs are a unique beast of competition. Banchero also gushes over his love for Duke Basketball, his admiration for Duke phenom Cooper Flagg and what's next for his quest of becoming a perennial All-Star in the league.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber welcomes Boardroom into the MLS’ New York City office. In conversation with Boardroom Co-Founder and Philadelphia Union Part Owner Rich Kleiman the Major League Soccer commissioner discusses how an early job with the NFL jump started his career. Then, the duo discuss the nuances that come with managing sports owners, the impact of superstardom on the league brought on by players like Lionel Messi and David Beckham, how the AppleTV streaming partnership paved the way for other sports teams to follow suit and more. Later, Garber shares insights on the scalability of the league and the archetype of the modern fan, health and safety of its players, what fans can expect from the 2026 World Cup where he likens the global event to the NFL’s Super Bowl and so much more.

Todd Graves, Founder and CEO of Raising Cane's, shares the story behind his billion-dollar chicken finger empire, sparked by a challenging college business plan. He recounts overcoming setbacks, including Hurricane Katrina, and emphasizes the importance of valuing employees and cultivating a strong company culture across 900 locations. Graves discusses innovative collaborations with celebrities like Post Malone, fostering authentic connections with loyal fans known as 'Caniacs,' and his aspirations for community philanthropy. Tune in for insights on entrepreneurship and resilience!

Over the 2025 All-Star Weekend, Boardroom and Bose hosted an intimate conversation in San Francisco for an audience of business, entertainment and sports power players. The conversation, led by Boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman, was a deep dive into the intersection of sports, music and culture, driven by Carmelo Anthony, Quavo, and Bose CEO Jim Mollica - three individuals who know the space best. As a newly minted NBA Hall Of Fame inductee, Anthony's storied career gave him the ability to reflect on how much the business has changed to become more collaborative through the years, a sentiment that Mollica can agree with from a corporate perspective. Mollica shares how his team in the music space has committed to partnering with music lovers across several sectors, including the brand's partnership with Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards. Quavo, a Grammy-nominated music icon, also shared how many of his most popular hits and career moments are deeply reflective of the NBA culture he was raised on, showing again how the ties between all of these individuals remain intrinsically tied.

Matt Barnes, a former NBA player and co-host of the award-winning podcast 'All the Smoke,' shares his journey from athlete to media mogul. He recalls how the show began with casual barbershop-style chats and evolved into a powerful platform. Barnes discusses the impact of athlete-driven narratives and the cultural shift regarding cannabis in sports. He delves into the challenges of navigating media deals, building partnerships, and the importance of authenticity in storytelling. His reflections emphasize patience and a long-term vision for success.

In this episode of Boardroom Talks, Rich Kleiman sits down with super producer Mike Will Made-It to explore his groundbreaking career. Mike breaks down how Atlanta's musical legacy influenced modern sound, why genre-blending is key to his success, and the powerful impact of artists like Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, and Future. Plus, he shares his thoughts on the role of Artificial Intelligence in music, the mystery behind streaming numbers, and how industry icon Jimmy Iovine shaped his approach to making hip hop accessible to the mainstream.Don’t miss this candid conversation with one of the industry's most influential producers!