Netflix’s “Running Point,” created by Mindy Kaling and starring Kate Hudson, follows Isla Gordon, a former party-loving executive who unexpectedly inherits her family's professional basketball team, the Los Angeles Waves. She must quickly learn how to lead a team, manage the public eye, and deal with complicated family dynamics—all while trying to prove herself in a male-dominated industry.
In the show, the Gordon family is based on the Buss family, the real-life owners of the Los Angeles Lakers. Isla Gordon’s character is based on Jeanie Buss, who has been running the team since 2017. Earlier this month, the Buss family entered into an agreement to sell a majority stake in the Lakers to Mark Walter for a franchise evaluation of $10 billion, the highest-ever sale of a professional sports franchise. The deal dictates that Jeanie Buss will continue to run the team for at least a few more years.
Art Imitating Life—and PR
The show, along with the real-life sale scenario playing out in the media, offers surprisingly relevant communications insights and strategies for PR professionals. Here are five (spoiler-free!) key communication lessons from “Running Point,” and the real-life Buss family, that PR pros can apply in their day-to-day work:
Prioritize Transparent Communication
Isla is open about the challenges she faces and decisions she makes, which allows her to earn trust and credibility with her team, family, and stakeholders. Jeanie Buss has historically been open with Lakers's fans and the media about the conflict within her family as they ran the team and family business. She even produced a documentary and the "Running Point" series about that experience.
Transparency is essential for PR professionals. Proactive, honest communication reduces speculation, strengthens relationships, and builds stakeholder confidence—whether with clients, media or the general public.
Adapt Your Communication Style
Throughout the series, Isla tailors her communication to her audience depending on whether she’s addressing players, reporters, or family members. One size doesn’t fit all. PR pros must adapt their tone, style or strategy (and sometimes all of the above!) to suit different audiences and ensure the message is both relevant and effective.
Leverage Non-Verbal Communication
Isla’s transformation from carefree to commanding is reflected in both her wardrobe and body language, illustrating the power of non-verbal cues. Jeanie Buss has been known to say she picks her outfits starting with her shoes depending on who she will be around that day, often choosing high heels to appear taller when she is around the basketball players. In PR, how you present yourself (or your brand) visually matters just as much as the words you use. Attitude, body language, and even branding elements all help reinforce a message or idea before a word is spoken.
Practice Active Listening
Much of Isla’s success is due to her ability to truly listen to her team and family as it fosters stronger relationships and a collaborative environment. PR pros must do the same as they actively listen to clients, monitor the media landscape, and engage meaningfully with audiences. This leads to better insights, stronger messaging and more impactful strategies.
Maintain Consistency Across Channels
Even under pressure, Isla delivers consistent messaging, which is an essential practice in PR. Whether it’s a campaign rollout, crisis response, or media engagement, consistency across platforms (press releases, social media, interviews, etc.) builds trust and prevents confusion.
“Running Point” offers a different lens on modern communication tactics. Isla’s journey highlights the importance of being transparent, audience-aware, intentional, and consistent. For PR pros, this is a fun watch, and a helpful reminder that effective communication extends far beyond just the spoken word.
Courtney Moed is Account Lead at Hot Paper Lantern, and Bailey Irelan is VP, Client Service at HPL Digital Sport.