Kevin Durant’s media and entertainment brand, Boardroom, has made a sudden and significant change to its operations, laying off members of its full‑time editorial team in a move that has drawn industry attention and prompted questions about the future direction of the company.
Boardroom, the sports, media and entertainment platform co‑founded by Durant and his longtime business partner Rich Kleiman in 2019, began as a media venture focused on stories at the intersection of sports, business and culture. Over the years it expanded into podcasts, newsletters, video, documentaries and digital features, building a notable presence in the crowded digital media landscape. As recently as 2022, The Athletic reported the company had grown to a staff of about 25 employees.
Industry reporting from HuffPost’s Philip Lewis revealed that Boardroom’s editorial team had been let go in what was described as an “unexpected” decision. Staffers were reportedly cut without advance notice and were unable to export their email contacts before access was revoked.
The layoff was unexpected and laid-off staff were unable to export their email contacts
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) February 21, 2026
The layoffs come as Boardroom’s founders and executives signal a shift in strategy. While the company has not publicly detailed the reasoning behind eliminating its editorial division, it is clear that Boardroom is emphasizing other content formats and business lines going forward. Observers point to planned expansions in original video, experiential events and branded partnerships as areas the company believes will drive future engagement and return on investment.
The timing of the layoffs coincides with broader online discussions around Durant’s recent off‑court headlines, but there has been no official statement linking Boardroom’s internal changes to those unrelated events. As one of the few athlete‑backed media ventures of its scale, Boardroom’s evolution highlights the challenges facing independent digital outlets in an era where social platforms, short‑form video and creator‑driven content continue to reshape how audiences consume sports media.\
