News

Fanatics, the global leader in sports merchandise and collectibles, is joining forces with Boardroom, the sports media and entertainment brand, to introduce Chapter: Next, an exclusive three-day career development program designed to help athletes build business acumen for life beyond their playing careers.

As an expansion of Fanatics’ Athlete Immersion Program, which first launched in November 2023, this initiative will provide athletes and their management teams with high-level mentorship, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities with top business leaders.

The first Chapter: Next program will take place from June 18-20, 2025, in New York City, culminating in Fanatics Fest at the Javits Center (June 20-22, 2025).

A Program Designed for Athlete Success

Chapter: Next is a collaborative effort combining Fanatics’ expertise in global business with Boardroom’s strength in storytelling and brand building. The program is designed to equip athletes and their teams with the tools needed for long-term business success, providing a diverse range of professional development opportunities, including:

• Educational curriculum developed in partnership with the University of Southern California.
• One-on-one mentorship with top executives and industry experts.
• Exclusive networking dinners featuring CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.
• Curated panel discussions on business strategy, marketing, and financial literacy.
• Hands-on workshops with Fanatics executives, covering brand building, merchandising, and entrepreneurship.
• Mitchell & Ness Design Challenge, offering participants a chance to create their own signature apparel.
• Boardroom Meeting House at Fanatics Fest, a dedicated networking space connecting athletes with more than 500 celebrities, artists, and key industry figures.

Through this immersive experience, athletes will gain valuable insights into brand management, business operations, and financial strategy, positioning them for sustained success after their playing careers.

A Lasting Network of Business and Career Support

Beyond the three-day program, Chapter: Next participants will receive access to the soon-to-launch Boardroom Members Club, an exclusive community providing ongoing business connections, resources, and mentorship opportunities.

Boardroom co-founder and CEO Rich Kleiman emphasized the program’s mission to bridge the gap between sports and business education:

“The spirit of Boardroom has always been to bring people into the rooms we're lucky enough to be in and create spaces to share knowledge,” said Kleiman. “I'm excited to partner with Michael Rubin and the team at Fanatics to build on the incredible work they’ve already done and deliver meaningful programming to athletes and their teams.”

Fanatics founder and CEO Michael Rubin echoed this sentiment, reinforcing Fanatics’ commitment to supporting athletes beyond the game:

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Rich, KD, and the entire team at Boardroom to take Fanatics’ athlete development efforts to the next level. Fanatics exists because of the incredible athletes across all sports and their deep connections to fans around the world. We are committed to helping them thrive beyond their playing careers, and that’s exactly what this program is built to do.”

Future Expansion and Additional Opportunities

Following the inaugural June event, Fanatics and Boardroom plan to host a second Chapter: Next program in December 2025, targeting athletes in sports with winter offseasons, such as WNBA, NWSL, and MLB.

Additionally, the two companies will collaborate on ongoing networking events throughout the year, offering athletes new opportunities to engage with leaders in business, media, and entertainment.

With Chapter: Next, Fanatics and Boardroom are setting a new standard for athlete career development, empowering athletes with the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to transition seamlessly into life beyond professional sports.