Sport Money: “El Legado,” the Copa América series that’s all the rage beyond Argentina
In less than 48 hours, “El Legado,” the series released on Disney+ one year after the Copa América, became the most-watched show not only in Argentina but across almost the entire region. Produced by Offline Sports, Forbes interviewed Gonzalo Arias, co-founder of the production company alongside Diego Piasek, to learn about the behind-the-scenes of this new sports content celebrated by audiences.
What was the greatest challenge in creating this content?
Timing and uncertainty. In an industry where long-term planning has become almost a luxury, we assembled a continental operation in record time. We closed deals, put together teams, filmed, and edited without knowing who would win the Cup or how the tournament would unfold. We took the risk from day one, confident we had an extraordinary partner in CONMEBOL and a story anchored in an unrepeatable moment: the farewell of a legendary generation and the beginning of a profound transition in South American football, with figures like Messi, Suárez, Di María, Rondón, and James Rodríguez possibly playing their last great continental tournament.
How did the collaboration with CONMEBOL and later Disney come about?
It’s our first collaboration with CONMEBOL and the tournament’s 16 participating teams, and we couldn’t be prouder of the result. We’re also deeply grateful to Disney+ and ESPN for trusting the project and supporting us with an exceptional distribution and promotion strategy. In just 48 hours after the premiere, the series reached number one in viewership across almost the entire region. We hope this is only the beginning of a lasting partnership with both groups. For us, true success isn’t just making a great project, but building strategic relationships that allow us to keep telling stories that move, inspire, and connect with the entire continent.
Since the beginnings of this industry, no one has guaranteed profitability. Algorithms help analyze the past more precisely, but they still don’t offer foolproof formulas to predict the future. This business is partly science and experience, but also a lot of intuition: you need instinct to sense when an idea will connect, and conviction to bet everything on making it succeed. What you can—and must—do is work efficiently, take smart risks, and build relationships of trust with the right partners at every opportunity.
How is the entrepreneurial mindset reflected in the final result?
Every dollar had to be reflected on screen. We operate with an agile, bureaucracy-free structure, always prioritizing narrative and content quality. This way of working allowed us to maintain creative, financial, and operational control, aligning the interests of all partners involved.
Do you see this model as replicable for future large-scale productions in the region?
Yes, with the right partners. Today every project is evaluated as an independent investment, like a startup (VC). There are no fixed models anymore—only tailored strategies. But if there is shared vision, speed of execution, and commitment to the story, we believe this model is not only replicable but also scalable.
What other future projects is the production company considering that are linked to sporting events?
Sports are our passion and our big bet. After Copa América 2024: El Legado, we continue developing new and very ambitious opportunities with CONMEBOL. We are also finalizing a series in partnership with CONCACAF about the continent’s most challenging club tournament: a climatic, cultural, and emotional odyssey with teams like Inter Miami (Messi), Rayados (Sergio Ramos), América, Cruz Azul, Cavalier (Jamaica), or Alajuelense crossing all kinds of borders across the continent. Additionally, we are developing a documentary series about Rodrigo De Paul—a story of identity, overcoming, and belonging—as well as other projects in the United States, Mexico, and Europe featuring elite global athletes.
How has technological innovation influenced not only visual quality but also efficiency and the business model of the documentary? What new technologies are you exploring for future productions, and how will they impact profitability?
We use ultra-high-resolution compact cameras to move swiftly between cities and stadiums, and cloud-based collaborative editing platforms to accelerate processes. Every tool was chosen strategically to maximize efficiency and quality. We also incorporated 360-degree cameras to capture unique moments from rarely seen perspectives, such as the Argentine fan rally in Times Square or a timelapse of an 80,000-seat stadium filling up. In post-production, we are actively exploring AI tools that optimize color, sound, and automated editing. Anything that speeds up the process without sacrificing impact or the work of artists interests us.
The success of this documentary cements Offline Sports as a major player. How do you plan to capitalize on this momentum for regional and international expansion?
We hope the series continues to perform well on Disney+ and that we can keep building together. We believe in organic growth: doing things right so projects succeed, partners stay happy, and that trust turns into new shared challenges. We’re not running a sprint. For us, this is a marathon: we aim to generate sustainable value, build lasting relationships, and tell inspiring stories so that the world’s best want to collaborate with Offline Sports.