Javier Herrera: Connecting Polo's Global Community
Send us a textWhen Javier Herrera broke his knee playing rugby in Argentina, his doctor gave him two recovery options: ride a bike or ride a horse. That fateful choice led him to discover polo and eventually create PoloLine – transforming how the sport is covered, consumed, and connected across the globe.In this candid conversation, Javier reveals how he launched polo's first digital media platform during the late 1990s dot-com boom, when he identified a critical gap: polo enthusiasts worldwide had no way to follow tournaments or players without waiting months for magazine coverage. Starting with nothing but determination, he and his business partner Sebastian Amaya began photographing matches in Palm Beach, selling VHS tapes of Argentine tournaments, and gradually building what would become polo's most trusted global news source.The journey wasn't easy. Javier recounts sleeping at polo clubs in exchange for coverage, scanning physical photographs before digital cameras were affordable, and convincing skeptical players and patrons of the internet's value when most still received tournament draws by fax. What makes his story remarkable is how PoloLine evolved alongside technology – from basic match reports to comprehensive video content, eventually pioneering polo livestreaming years before it became standard practice.Beyond building a media platform, Javier created the World Polo Tour ranking system that helped standardize tournament importance globally, giving structure to an international sport that previously lacked cohesion. Today, as a consultant for Global Polo TV, he's focused on bringing polo to mainstream audiences through partnerships with ESPN and other networks while maintaining the authenticity that attracted him to the sport.Whether you're fascinated by entrepreneurship, sports media, or polo's unique culture across Argentina, the US, and Europe, Javier's perspective offers invaluable insights into how passion, vision, and persistence can transform an entire sporting landscape. His story isn't just about polo – it's about seeing opportunity where others don't and building bridges that connect communities across continents.Support the showAbout Hive₂O Hard Honey™Hive₂O Hard Honey is a pioneering beverage company that brings the rich, balanced taste of honey to the forefront of the industry. With a focus on innovation, quality, and community, Hive₂O offers a range of hard honey and alcohol-free beverages designed to surprise and delight with every sip. As a thank you for tuning into this episode of Outside The Boards Podcast, Hive₂O is offering listeners an exclusive online discount and free shipping on all four packs. Use code OTBPOLO24 in all caps at checkout. Visit hardhoney.com to explore products. About Lineup PoloLineup Polo was built to revolutionize how polo is managed and experienced. With a mission to support the polo community and expand the sport’s reach, the platform digitizes processes and centralizes communication. Lineup Polo is committed to the game's future. Available as a free app and web portal, Lineup Polo allows clubs to manage tournaments, automate leagues, payments, and memberships, building a new digital ecosystem for polo. About Outside The Boards™Founded after witnessing their first polo match in 2012, Outside The Boards™ seeks to share the sport’s beauty, intensity, and lifestyle while addressing industry fragmentation. Through best practices, insights, trends, and consulting, OTB™ helps stakeholders and brands unlock polo’s marketing potential and navigate the sport with clarity...
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