12 Shows Like Running Point You Must See

Netflix’s ‘Running Point‘ is a sports comedy series that chronicles the chaotic journey of Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson). She is unexpectedly thrust into the role of president of her family’s high-level basketball team, the Los Angeles Waves, despite her lifelong distance from the sport. Isla faces the daunting challenge of ensuring the team’s success in the league while also dealing with the corporate structures behind it. As a newcomer to the basketball business, she must quickly grasp the fundamentals while simultaneously working to connect with the athletes, who don’t seem to take her seriously.

To truly thrive in this position, Isla needs to redefine herself and fiercely protect her independence at any cost. Created by Elaine Ko, Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen, the show delves into high aspirations, hysterical moments, and the dramatic world of professional basketball through the eyes of an unlikely character. This list features shows similar to ‘Running Point’ that explore the world of sports, quirky characters, corporate realities, dreams, and more.

12. Mythic Quest (2020-2025)

Apple TV’s ‘Mythic Quest’ is a comedy show that follows the inner workings of a video game studio developing “Mythic Quest,” a multiplayer game for its loyal customers. The studio is led by Ian Grimm (Rob McElhenney), the creator and creative director of the game. The game’s success fuels further efforts to create more content. As the team prepares to release a major expansion, Ian frequently clashes with lead engineer Poppy Li (Charlotte Nicdao) and other team members over development decisions. While they work to keep the game successful, the team members navigate unforeseen challenges in their professional spaces that could redefine how they collaborate. Created by Charlie Day, Megan Ganz, and McElhenney, the narrative complements ‘Running Point’ as it navigates the complexities of the corporate world through choices, conflicts, and hierarchies.

11. Brockmire (2017-2020)

Created by Joel Church-Cooper, ‘Brockmire’ is a sitcom that follows Jim Brockmire (Hank Azaria), a former major league baseball announcer whose career collapses after he has a meltdown on the job when he learns his wife is cheating on him. After spending years away from broadcasting, he attempts to rebuild his career and personal life. He returns as an announcer for the minor league team Morristown Frackers in a struggling town, where things are far from what he expected.

There, he works with team owner Julia James (Amanda Peet), with whom he shares a complicated dynamic. As he settles into his new role, Jim tries to regain stability while adjusting to his circumstances. Based on a character created by Hank Azaria, the show shares similarities with ‘Running Point’ due to its portrayal of a redemption arc, the uncertainties of the world of sports, and the contributions of those working behind the scenes to make events successful.

10. Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)

‘Friday Night Lights,’ a sports drama series created by Peter Berg, centers on Coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler), who is on a mission to redeem his career. To achieve this, he begins coaching the Dillon Panthers, a high school football team in Dillon, Texas. Eric believes the only real chance to succeed is to build the team from the ground up. While his journey is supported by his wife, Tami Taylor (Connie Britton), Eric must constantly manage the town’s expectations and challenges like financial hardship, racism, and drug abuse. The narrative is inspired by the book ‘Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream’ by H. G. Bissinger. Eric’s journey in the show is similar to Isla’s as she also undergoes a crisis in ‘Running Point.’

9. Shoresy (2022-)

‘Shoresy’ follows the struggles of Shoresy (Jared Keeso), who moves to Sudbury, Ontario, to work for the senior ice hockey team, the Sudbury Bulldogs, which is in a state of chaos. After a long losing streak leaves the team at the bottom of their league, Shoresy makes a deal with the team’s general manager, Nat (Tasya Teles), promising they will never lose again if he is given control. In the company of fellow coach Sanguinet (Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat) and a group of new players, he works to rebuild the team, change their mindset, and prove they can succeed. Created by Jared Keeso, the comedy series is a spin-off of the show ‘Letterkenny.’ Akin to ‘Running Point,’ the story features one character’s battle against the noise of the outside world while seeking redemption in the sporting world.

8. Swagger (2021-2023)

Apple TV’s ‘Swagger’ follows the journey of Jace Carson (Isaiah Hill), a talented young basketball player trying to pursue his dream of going professional. As one of the best players in his region, he faces constant pressure both on and off the court as he learns what it truly means to succeed. With guidance from his coach, Ike Edwards (O’Shea Jackson Jr.), Jace navigates the challenges of competitive youth basketball. The story explores the world surrounding the sport, including the influence of families, coaches, and the broader system that shapes it.

As Jace moves forward, he must balance ambition with the realities of the environment around him while trying to define his own path. Created by Reggie Rock Bythewood, the sports drama show is loosely inspired by the experiences of NBA player Kevin Durant. Much like ‘Running Point,’ the narrative is about the redemptive journeys of various characters in the tough world of basketball, where challenges and opportunities arise in the most unexpected moments, with the potential to raise the stakes.

7. Survivor’s Remorse (2014-2017)

‘Survivor’s Remorse,’ created by Mike O’Malley, offers an offbeat and unique perspective on the hustle culture of basketball. It follows the lives of cousins Cam Calloway (Jessie T. Usher) and Reggie Vaughn (RonReaco Lee) as they navigate life after achieving fame and fortune as talented basketball players, despite growing up in the ghetto and facing significant challenges. While successful, the two men confront familial issues and other hurdles as they advance their careers and personal lives.

They must come to terms with the reality that success often comes at a cost, especially when those around them still struggle, and that their origins will inevitably remain a part of their identity. The comedy-drama show shares similarities with ‘Running Point’ as it depicts the personal struggles of its characters within the larger world of basketball and the ways in which life in the sporting world can be unpredictable.

6. A League of Their Own (2022)

Adapted from the eponymous film, Prime Video’s ‘A League of Their Own’ centers on the experiences of Carson Shaw (Abbi Jacobson), a married woman who leaves her small town and travels far to pursue her dream of playing professional baseball. At the same time, Maxine Chapman (Chanté Adams), an African-American woman passionate about the sport, struggles to find opportunities as she is not allowed to try out for teams.

As their journeys unfold, Carson and Maxine face challenges as they try to become part of the baseball world and find themselves in the process. Created by Will Graham and Abbi Jacobson, the sports comedy-drama series is the story of the formation of the Rockford Peaches, a women’s baseball team in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in the 1940s. The show is spiritually connected to ‘Running Point’ in that it delves into the complexities of the female experience in sports, a realm traditionally dominated by men.

5. GLOW (2017-2019)

Created by Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch, Netflix’s ‘GLOW’ deals with the intersection of personal ambition and professional rivalry in the sports entertainment business. Set in 1980s LA, the comedy-drama series follows Ruth Wilder (Alison Brie), a struggling actress desperate for success. She finds an unexpected opportunity when she auditions for the “Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling” competition, hoping to leverage her skills and beauty.

Nevertheless, Ruth’s attempt at a second chance becomes complicated when she encounters her estranged former friend, Debbie Eagan (Betty Gilpin), a retired actor also seeking professional redemption. As they navigate the competitive world of professional wrestling, their complex personal relationship becomes a major factor in their lives. Ruth and Debbie challenge the status quo and stereotypes in the sporting world in their own ways, similar to what Isla does in ‘Running Point.’

4. Ted Lasso (2020-)

‘Ted Lasso,’ an Apple TV comedy-drama show, follows the journey of Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis), a cheerful American football coach. Despite having no prior experience with the sport, he accepts an unexpected offer to coach AFC Richmond, a British soccer team. Upon arriving in the UK, his lack of soccer knowledge leads to humorous encounters with his new players. Ted is also on a personal quest to reconcile with his estranged wife and rediscover meaning in his own life while living in a foreign country.

This path involves developing intricate professional relationships, notably with AFC Richmond’s owner, Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham), and others he encounters in and around the neighborhood that houses the soccer ground. Created by Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, and Joe Kelly, the show is inspired by fictional characters originally featured in NBC Sports’ coverage of England’s soccer Premier League. Like Isla in ‘Running Point,’ Ted has no experience managing the team he is expected to work with. Both characters are essentially strangers to the worlds they find themselves in and must succeed at any cost.

3. Ballers (2015-2019)

HBO’s ‘Ballers’, created by Stephen Levinson, follows Spencer Strasmore (Dwayne Johnson), a former NFL player trying to build a new career after retirement. He becomes a financial manager, working with current and former football players as he adjusts to his new reality. In Miami, Spencer begins building a client base under the guidance of his boss Joe Krutel (Rob Corddry). As he works with both rising players and experienced athletes, his role goes beyond managing finances, as he helps them handle the pressures that come with their careers. While trying to succeed in his new profession, Spencer also works to bring stability to his own life and to find a sense of meaning again. The sports comedy-drama series complements the world of ‘Running Point’ by depicting the challenges of sports, while also shedding light on the financial aspects and personal struggles that shape the business.

2. Clipped (2024)

FX’s ‘Clipped’ explores the fallout from an NBA owner’s racist remarks being recorded and exposed. The sports drama series focuses on the Los Angeles Clippers during a turbulent period, highlighting the impact of the controversy on the team and those around it. Doc Rivers (Laurence Fishburne) arrives as head coach, aiming to lead the team to success while navigating the influence of owner Donald Sterling (Ed O’Neill).

At the same time, tensions rise between Sterling’s assistant V. Stiviano (Cleopatra Coleman) and his wife Shelly Sterling (Jacki Weaver). As events unfold, personal and professional conflicts begin to shape the team’s journey. Created by Gina Welch, the narrative is based on the ESPN ‘30 for 30’ podcast ‘The Sterling Affairs.’ The show, akin to ‘Running Point,’ portrays the complexities of the basketball world, focusing on the personal struggles behind the scenes, corporate politics, and the efforts of the athletes.

1. Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (2022-2023)

HBO’s ‘Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty’ chronicles the resurgence and aspirations of the popular NBA team, the Lakers, driven by the talent of Earvin Johnson, AKA Magic Johnson (Quincy Isaiah). The sports drama series picks up with the arrival of the team’s new owner, Jerry Buss (John C. Reilly), who endeavors to elevate it to new heights, with the assistance of his daughter, Jeanie Buss (Hadley Robinson). As Jerry navigates the intricate world where business and sports intersect, the players strive to achieve their own success.

Created by Max Borenstein and Jim Hecht, the show dramatizes actual events and is based on Jeff Pearlman’s book, ‘Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s.’ It is closely connected to ‘Running Point’ as it explores a basketball team from the perspectives of various characters. The shows feature similar visuals and explore the financial, managerial, and other aspects of the sport, while also featuring the emotional struggles of characters who strive to succeed in basketball to honor their passions.