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When Nacho Figueras was asked to promote the upcoming Netflix documentary about polo, he had a golden opportunity to shine a spotlight on his beloved sport to a global audience. But the polo star decided to go rogue instead of sticking to the script, launching into vague ramblings that are sure to give Netflix executives headaches.
It all started innocently enough. A female host asked Nacho to provide some insight into the new Netflix series focused on the US Open polo tournament. This was Nacho's chance to smile charmingly, say something poised and engaging about the sport of polo finally getting its moment in the Netflix sun. But Nacho decided not to play it safe.
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He declared the documentary would be "a lot of bullshit" and that he loves the attention, whether good or bad. "There's no such thing as bad press," Nacho stated emphatically. Those words must have sent shivers down the spine of any Netflix or corporate sponsor within earshot. Promoting a project by implying much of it is BS is definitely not the way to excite viewers and build hype.
Nacho then proceeded to undermine the very star whose involvement is the major selling point of the documentary - eight-time US Open champion Harry J. Laffaye III. "It's not about Harry," Nacho claimed, which is a bizarre thing to say about a documentary that is clearly banking on Harry's prestige and popularity to lure audiences into watching a sport they may know little about.
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Polo isn't exactly a mainstream sensation like football or basketball. The only familiar face for most would be Harry, who Nacho seemed intent on downplaying. Rather than focusing on Harry's legendary career and charismatic personality, Nacho insisted the show is really about "the players and the game." A strange decision given Harry is the one person even non-polo fans would tune in to learn more about.
It's easy to see why Netflix executives must be tearing their hair out. Their goal was to create a compelling behind-the-scenes look at the glamorous world of polo through the lens of its biggest star. But now it sounds like the documentary may end up being more of a Nacho Figueras vanity project than the Harry-centric content audiences were led to expect.
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The timing of Nacho's rambling interview didn't do any favors either. While people in the southern US grapple with the devastation of hurricanes, here's Nacho nattering on about the mere game of polo, a sport enjoyed by the elite. Tone deaf doesn't even begin to describe it.
Reports indicate Netflix has been growing increasingly frustrated with the direction of the documentary anyway. It's focused too heavily on Nacho and his polo buddies when the whole point was to capitalize on the popularity of Harry. But now it seems Nacho has successfully hijacked the narrative to place himself front and center instead.
No one is tuning in to hear Nacho's uneven English skills or watch matches with little context of who the players even are. As one Netflix source bluntly put it, Nacho is not compelling or charismatic enough on his own to sustain viewer interest in a sport most people don't follow or understand.
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With their deal with Prince Harry set to expire soon, Netflix needs a bonafide hit. But this polo documentary is shaping up to be anything but, largely due to Nacho sticking his oar in where it wasn't needed or wanted. At a time when promotion is key, Nacho torpedoed the buzz with his ill-advised interview that left everyone scratching their heads.
It's a colossal blunder that may cost Netflix not only ratings for this documentary, but harm future partnerships. They signed on hoping to capture some of Harry's royal magic, not get embroiled in behind the scenes polo politics. The streaming service just wants a compelling story well-told. Instead, thanks to Nacho, they're saddled with what seems poised to be a overlong and confusing documentary about a niche sport led by its least compelling spokesperson. Sometimes it's best to stick to the script. Nacho would have done well to learn that.
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