In a recent interview, famed polo player Nacho Figueres made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Discussing the upcoming Netflix documentary on polo, Figueres had the chance to shine a positive spotlight on his sport and boost its global appeal. However, instead of sticking to a well-rehearsed, polished statement, he decided to go off-script in a way that has likely left Netflix executives frustrated. When prompted by the interviewer to share some insights about the new series, Nacho could have simply flashed his charming smile, delivered a professional soundbite, and given Netflix the PR boost they were hoping for.
Instead, he chose a more unconventional path, launching into a rambling commentary about how he loves attention, whether good or bad. He even threw out the classic line, "There’s no such thing as bad press," which, as any PR expert would confirm, is precisely the kind of sentiment that makes corporate sponsors and network executives cringe.
To make matters worse, Nacho appeared to undercut the documentary itself, calling it a load of nonsense—well before it has even aired. Imagine how thrilled the Netflix team must have been to hear the face of their much-anticipated series casually undermine the project in such a public setting. This kind of unscripted commentary can spell disaster, especially when networks are banking on a show to draw in viewers and generate buzz. It's as if Nacho completely missed the point that Netflix was counting on this documentary to be a success. His unsavvy remarks likely left sponsors questioning his media skills and the broader viability of the show.
Nacho attempted to recover by steering the conversation toward the actual content of the documentary, emphasizing that it focuses on the U.S. Open and not Prince Harry, who many believe to be the real reason most people would tune in. While Nacho stressed that the series would highlight the players and the sport itself, one can't help but notice that Harry is the major draw here. Polo isn’t exactly a sport with mass appeal, and dismissing the one figure guaranteed to attract attention—Prince Harry—seems like a misstep. Downplaying Harry’s involvement may not have been the smartest move, considering that the Duke of Sussex is likely the only reason many people are even aware of the project.
What made Nacho’s remarks even more puzzling was the overall tone of the interview. At a time when many people, particularly in the southern United States, are facing real-life challenges like hurricanes and the destruction of their homes, Nacho came off as out of touch. Here he was, promoting a documentary about wealthy individuals playing a niche sport that is far removed from the concerns of everyday people. It hardly seemed like a topic that would resonate with a broader audience, let alone draw them in.
Insiders suggest that Netflix had already been growing concerned about how the documentary was shaping up. Rumor has it that the series ended up focusing far too much on Nacho and his polo-playing friends, and not enough on Harry. The original goal had been to leverage Harry’s star power to generate interest, but now it appears that the spotlight has shifted to Nacho. Unfortunately for Netflix, Nacho’s charisma on the field doesn’t seem to translate well to interviews or broader appeal. One insider even noted that while Nacho may have the looks, his broken English and lack of mainstream appeal make him an unlikely candidate to carry a documentary.
Fans expecting a deep dive into royal drama and Harry-centric moments are likely in for disappointment. Instead, they’ll get an inside look at a sport that most people aren’t passionate about, led by a figure who isn’t known for his storytelling prowess. Netflix is undoubtedly scratching its head, wondering how a project that seemed to have so much potential has gone so far off track. With their deal with the Sussexes nearing its end, Netflix needs a hit, and this documentary doesn’t seem poised to deliver. Instead, it’s looking more and more like a flop, and Nacho’s unguarded interview certainly hasn’t helped. By going off-script, Nacho may have sabotaged his own show while aggravating a number of executives in the process.
