The basketball court was just the beginning for retired NBA Champion Matt Barnes whose 14-year career included the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Los Angeles Clippers to name a few. Having studied History at UCLA, the Sacramento native’s current chapter as an entrepreneur includes a bold vision and a relentless pursuit of excellence. 

Symbolizing his impact in sports, business, and beyond, Matt was recently appointed as Chief Collaboration Officer for Players Only—a global luxury cannabis brand founded by NBA Hall of Famer Chris Webber and entrepreneur Lavetta Willis. Along with signing athletes, musicians, influencers, and more to develop their own unique products, Matt will help lead social impact initiatives to strengthen communities that were devastated by the prior criminalization of cannabis. 

Cannabis only scratches the surface when it comes to Matt spearheading global conversations. 

Making a seamless transition from the basketball court to the microphone, Matt serves as CEO of All The Smoke, a multimedia and production house that is home to the acclaimed podcast, ALL THE SMOKE (ATS).  Hosted weekly with his former teammate Stephen Jackson, ATS features the brash and unapologetic opinions of two NBA champions with a dose of diplomacy that landed a recent interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.  With an authentic, unfiltered perspective on the most polarizing topics in sports and beyond, the show highlights culture, social justice, politics, music, and more. Winner of the iHeart Radio Podcast of the Year Award, ATS was the last public interview given by NBA legend, author, and entrepreneur Kobe Bryant.    

Matt’s love for culture and community runs deep. As a board member for Project 68, he is part of a collective that leverages influential platforms to amplify factual information to fight  for underrepresented people. Unwavering in his dedication to highlighting the athlete’s perspective, Matt also recently signed a development deal with the NBA Players Association. 

Recognizing the value of transparency, Matt founded Athletes Vs. Cancer (AVC) in honor of his mother Ann whose battle with the disease ended in 2007. With a mission to provide resources for patients and their families, AVC partners with research institutions and celebrities to support innovative treatment methods with the ultimate goal of prevention. Leveraging his engaged social media platform, Matt played a crucial role in encouraging young people to register to vote during the 2020 and 2024 election seasons. In partnership with grassroots organizations including UNITE, Inc. and the Hustlers Guild, Matt co-hosted several virtual voter registration and education drives. 

Known for a fierce, competitive spirit on the court, Matt is no stranger to a challenge. While navigating the roadblocks of a very public life, his authenticity and compassion set the stage for a powerful story where success belongs to those who are courageous enough to aim for it all.