Netflix - Running point : A Bold New Sports Comedy Set to Premiere on Netflix tomorrow

By Mulder, 26 february 2025

Netflix is gearing up to release its highly anticipated sports comedy series, Running Point, on February 27, 2025. Created by Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen, the series stars Kate Hudson in the lead role and promises to deliver a fresh take on the world of professional basketball management.

Originally conceived by Elaine Ko, the series was initially ordered by Netflix in 2021 as an untitled Los Angeles Lakers-themed project. The involvement of Jeanie Buss, the Lakers' controlling owner and president, as a co-executive producer added credibility to the concept. However, in 2024, a creative shift saw Kaling, Barinholtz, and Stassen taking the reins, with Stassen serving as showrunner. This change led to a renewed vision for the show, which now focuses on Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson), a woman navigating the intense, high-pressure world of professional basketball ownership. The show is executive produced by a powerhouse team, including Kaling, Hudson, Jeanie Buss, Linda Rambis, and Howard Klein, with Jordan Rambis producing. Production companies involved include Kaling International, 3 Arts Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Television Studios, ensuring a high level of industry expertise and creative oversight.

Running Point follows Isla Gordon, who is thrust into the role of president of the Los Angeles Waves, one of the most successful franchises in professional basketball, after her brother is forced to resign due to a scandal. Ambitious and determined, Isla must prove herself in a male-dominated industry, balancing the demands of team ownership, business strategy, and personal ambition. The show is set to explore themes of gender dynamics in sports leadership, the impact of legacy and family business, and the tension between tradition and innovation in modern professional basketball. This narrative brings a bold twist to the underdog comedy genre. With Isla facing opposition from skeptical board members, her family, and the larger sports community, the series aims to deliver a mix of heartfelt moments, sharp wit, and high-energy storytelling, reminiscent of the best sports comedies of the past.

The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast that includes Brenda Song as Ali Lee, Drew Tarver as Sandy Gordon, and Scott MacArthur as Ness Gordon. Additionally, Chet Hanks plays Travis Bugg, Keyla Monterroso Mejia portrays Ana Moreno, and Fabrizio Guido stars as Jackie Moreno. The cast is further strengthened by the additions of Toby Sandeman as Marcus Winfield, Roberto Sanchez as Stephen Ramirez, and Max Greenfield as Lev Levy. In later casting announcements, Jay Ellis joined the show as Jay Brown, Dane DiLiegro was cast as Badrag Knauss, and Uche Agada signed on as Dyson Gibbs. Scott Evans was later added to play Charlie, rounding out the impressive and diverse cast.

Filming commenced in Los Angeles in early 2024, ensuring the setting remains authentic to the high-profile basketball world the series portrays. The involvement of Jeanie Buss and other real-world basketball figures lends credibility to the show’s depiction of sports ownership and management. However, not everything has been smooth sailing. In February 2025, Pepperdine University filed a lawsuit against Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, alleging trademark infringement over the show’s use of the Waves' team logo, colors, and uniform design. The university also accused the show of improperly using their basketball team’s signature orange and blue colors, along with the number 37 prominently displayed on a fictional player’s jersey. Despite this controversy, anticipation for Running Point continues to grow. The show’s ability to blend real-world sports culture with comedy and drama is expected to resonate with a broad audience, from basketball fans to casual viewers looking for a fresh and engaging workplace comedy.

With a 10-episode first season, Running Point is set to make a significant impact when it debuts on Netflix in early 2025. The combination of Kaling’s signature comedic storytelling, Hudson’s dynamic presence, and the high-energy world of professional basketball ownership makes this one of the most intriguing upcoming series. For fans of sports comedies and workplace dramas alike, Running Point promises to be a must-watch. Whether it’s Isla Gordon’s battle to prove herself in a world dominated by powerful men or the ensemble cast delivering witty and fast-paced humor, the series is poised to be another major success for Netflix. As the release date approaches, more details are expected to emerge about the behind-the-scenes creative process, potential cameos from NBA legends, and how the show plans to tackle the complexities of sports leadership. Until then, fans can only count down the days until Running Point takes the streaming world by storm.

Synopsis : 
The hectic daily life of Isla Gordon, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers NBA team, who juggles her life as a wife and mother while managing a sports group representing a lot of money.

Running Point
Created by Elaine Ko, Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, David Stassen
Showrunners : Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, David Stassen
Starring  Kate Hudson, Drew Tarver, Scott MacArthur
Executive producers : Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, David Stassen, Jeanie Buss, Linda Rambis, Howard Klein, Kate Hudson
Producer : Jordan Rambis
Production companies : Kaling International, 23/34 Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment, The Fusion Media, Warner Bros. Television Studios
Network : Netflix