Jay-Z needs no introduction, but what he did for Kevin Durant needs mentioning. The world-renowned two-time NBA champion and Olympic gold medallist met the man who made his future through the $2.5 billion rapper. Jay-Z’s agent, then working as the Vice President at Roc Nation, was introduced to a rookie Durant when he was at a Jay-Z concert at the Garden.
Needless to say, KD was only 18 at the time and there wasn’t much to do. But they shared a love for basketball and hip-hop. Eventually, this common ground led to a beautiful friendship first and a flourishing business empire later.
Kevin Durant’s debut into the business world
Rich Kleiman shares how he started his relationship with Durant in an interview with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on “All The Smoke.”
2012 was the year that Kleiman officially became KD’s agent/manager. From there, it was an uphill graph for the duo. In 2016, they launched their Thirty Five Ventures investment company (35V) with the media company Boardroom sitting at the centre.
The Boardroom personifies everything that Durant and Kleiman embody. They have invested in 100 early-stage companies that reflect their mutual passion for pop culture, sports, music, entertainment, and more.
The Future of Kevin Durant-Rich Kleiman saga
Durant has always said he wants to keep playing until he can’t anymore. Turning 35 today, the two-time NBA Finals MVP is nearing the end of his NBA journey. But he is still a formidable force in the court. Subsequently, his business journey is on a steady incline.
“From the moment I met Rich, it was clear to me that he really understood the basketball world, really understood the business world, and also was just a very real and genuine person,” KD told Forbes in 2021.
Ever since his partnership with Rich Kleiman, Durant has only seen positive growth. Kleiman and Durant are investing in just about every domain. Some of the projects under 35V/Boardroom include SWAGGER with Imagine Entertainment and Apple TV+, “Two Distant Strangers” on Netflix, and “NYC Point Gods” on Showtime. The Executive Director of Durant Family Foundation and one of the Board of Directors at New Heights Youth, Inc., KD is giving back to his community.
Kleiman’s hunger for business is also ever-present. He has mentioned his 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥hood dream of being part of an NBA organization, like Leon Rose or Bob Myers. If Durant retires soon, can Rich make his dream come true with his trustworthy partner?
