Hurlingham Autumn 2019 - page 16

hurlinghampolo.com
TA L K
G O I N G T O E X T R E M E S
Carolina Beresford explains how the Extreme Polo League
is revolutionising the sport as we know it
There is a hot new league on the block, and
this one really does promise to take polo to
the next level. We’re talking franchising,
international broadcasting, events,
merchandising, hopes for gaming, virtual
reality, and a global fixture showcasing the
talents of the best players on the planet.The
Extreme Polo League (XPL) has landed in
Argentina, planted its flag, and clearly
communicated its intention: to revolutionise
polo as we know it.
The mastermind behind the project is
Juan Zavalía, a Swiss-Argentine investment
banker with a deep appreciation for the sport.
His ultimate mission is to professionalise the
about a more active and entrepreneurial style
of management, and secondly, the media
landscape changed. We have been able
to secure players, financing, and a media
partner, and that has been crucial for the
development of the league.’
The first step on the journey is the
inaugural XPL event in Argentina, with the
final scheduled on 5 October at Palermo. Six
organisations are set to compete for the title
and the prize money.With established names
such as Ellerstina, Las Monjitas, La Ensenada,
Albertina Abu Dhabi, La Pegasus Polo, and
La Aguada, this first tournament will see the
best players in the game take to the field.
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game and create a media content company
that focuses on promoting the XPL around the
world. No easy feat, that’s for sure, but Zavalía
is confident in his game plan, based on the
franchising model adopted in sports such as
basketball and motor racing.
‘How often do you have a sport with the
tradition polo has, the elements of speed and
adrenaline, and the chance to present it to
a new audience?’ says Zavalía.‘This is a
huge opportunity. We hope to develop 12
professional franchises around the world.’
‘Two things helped me in this venture,’
he continues.‘Firstly, there was a shift in the
Argentine Polo Association that brought
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