Boardroom

Apple shares surged more than 15% today, adding over $330 billion in market value—its biggest single-day gain since 1998. The rally pushed Apple past Microsoft to reclaim the crown as the world’s most valuable public company.⁠ ⁠ Microsoft added roughly $180 billion, Nvidia gained $150 billion, Amazon jumped by $110 billion, and Alphabet (Google’s parent company) tacked on $95 billion. The broader market rode the wave—the S&P 500 notched its best day since 2008 (and 9th best in history)—as investors cheered President Trump’s 90-day pause on new tariffs, easing fears about global supply chain pressures.⁠ ⁠ Still, Apple remains about 11% below its pre-tariff level, showing that even a massive rally doesn’t erase all the questions surrounding trade policy and long-term margins.⁠

🗓️ On this day in 2012: Facebook makes a game-changing move by buying Instagram for $1 billion. In just 13 years, Instagram’s brand value has skyrocketed to an estimated $70.4 billion, according to Statista, transforming Facebook’s $1 billion gamble into a global powerhouse.⁠ ⁠ With roughly 2 billion monthly active users, Instagram is now a major pillar of Meta’s ad revenue, contributing over $40 billion in 2023 alone. Co-founded by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger in 2010, the platform has revolutionized social media, becoming an essential platform for brands and influencers worldwide.⁠ ⁠ Jon Stewart was just as stunned. On The Daily Show at the time, he questioned the acquisition—now, it’s the core engine behind Meta’s digital empire.⁠ ⁠ (🎥: Comedy Central, h/t Jon Erlichman)

Just outside Toronto, Polkadots Playland and Montessori Academy was on the verge of closing. With $90,000 in debt and only days left to raise $80K, the school—serving kids from pre-K to grade six, including students with autism—launched a GoFundMe and relied on parents and the local community to step up.⁠ Then, the game-changer: Raptors star Scottie Barnes. After hearing about the school’s struggle, he quietly made a generous offline donation, helping Polkadots surpass its goal before the March 31 deadline. Principal Josette Drummond called it a "literal miracle," reminding us how true impact happens when athletes use their platform to give back.⁠ The school stays open, the kids keep learning, and the city sees that real change doesn't always come from a highlight reel—it comes from stepping up when it counts. Love to see it.

A’ja Wilson isn’t settling for trophies — she’s chasing legacy. 🏆️⁠ ⁠ During NCAA Women’s Final Four weekend, A’ja teamed up with Boardroom and Chase to host an exclusive dinner at SiX Tampa, where she also launched her new partnership with Chase.⁠ ⁠ The night brought out superstars like Allisha Gray, Jewell Loyd, ESPN’s Monica McNutt & Andraya Carter, and execs from Nike, JPMorganChase, the WNBPA, and more. The main event? A raw, inspiring fireside chat between A’ja and Sydney Colson, diving into NIL, legacy, long-term investment in women’s hoops, and what’s next for the league.⁠ ⁠ More at the link in comments.

High-end sports card and memorabilia retailer CardVault by Tom Brady, is opening a flagship store at American Dream in East Rutherford, NJ—its first outside the Boston area and the first fully branded location since Brady took an ownership stake in 2023. While exact figures haven’t been disclosed, Brady's involvement includes equity and strategic support as he helps position CardVault to capitalize on the $26B global collectibles market.⁠ ⁠ More than just a face of the brand, Tom Brady brings business credibility and access to a vast network of fans, collectors, and partners. The 1,200-square-foot space next to MetLife Stadium will feature rare cards, authenticated memorabilia, and a steel vault showcasing “grail” items—designed to serve both diehard collectors and new fans alike.⁠ ⁠ The grand opening kicks off April 11 with a live Q&A featuring Brady and co-founder Chris Costa, ahead of the public opening on April 12. CardVault plans to use this flagship as a blueprint for future locations tied to major sports and entertainment hubs.

A’ja Wilson is intentional about the brands she aligns with, choosing partners that show real commitment to growing the game and investing for the long term. “It’s not just a moment, it’s a movement — not just a trend, but the standard.”⁠ ⁠ Her latest partnership with Chase was unveiled during Final Four weekend at an exclusive dinner hosted by Boardroom and Chase, bringing together top athletes, executives, media, and founders to celebrate women’s basketball and the sport’s continued rise.

JUST IN: For the first time in over a year, Microsoft is back on top. The tech giant just reclaimed its spot as the world’s most valuable public company, surpassing Apple with a market cap of $2.64 trillion. Apple, now at $2.59 trillion, saw shares dip 5% on Tuesday—part of a larger 23% slide since new U.S. tariffs were announced. Microsoft’s comeback highlights the strength of its diversified business model and lighter reliance on overseas manufacturing, which helped shield it from tariff shocks. While the company has faced scrutiny over its AI investments, its broad tech portfolio proved more resilient in the current market. Apple, which had held the crown since mid-2024, had been riding AI hype and hopes for a new iPhone upgrade cycle. But rising production costs and supply chain pressures have shifted the momentum—for now. (via CNBC)

Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin with GOAT-level praise for Shohei Ohtani. (🎥: IG/the611podcast)

Our first Members Club exclusive brings you inside the room with two powerhouse dealmakers. This July, David Blitzer (Co-Owner, HBSE Ventures, Senior Managing Director at Blackstone) and Mike Levine (Co-CEO, Creative Artists Agency Sports) will break down what it really takes to navigate high-stakes negotiations, build lasting partnerships, and make bold moves at the top of the sports and business world. In this conversation, they’ll share real playbooks from the people closing the deals that shape industries. This isn’t theory—it’s the hard-earned insights from those who make things happen. Want in? Join Boardroom’s Members Club today. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eZhV-tAf

This is wild 🤯💰⁠ ⁠ Tonight’s matchup between the Mets and Marlins highlights the stark contrast in their spending strategies during the 2024-2025 MLB offseason. The Mets made a massive splash, signing Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million contract, pushing their total offseason spending to a whopping $1.03 billion.⁠ ⁠ As a result, the Mets face a luxury tax penalty of around $79 million, reflecting their aggressive investment in building a contender.⁠ ⁠ In stark contrast, the Marlins adopted a much more conservative approach, dramatically reducing their payroll by trading away key players and making just one major league signing.⁠ ⁠ (h/t Joe Schad)