What football club does Ryan Reynolds own?
Ryan Reynolds, along with fellow Hollywood actor Rob McElhenney, is the owner of Wrexham Association Football Club (Wrexham A.F.C.), a professional Welsh soccer team that plays in England‘s National League. Reynolds and McElhenney stunningly purchased the 5th-tier club in late 2020 and have made big promises to return Wrexham to glory.
A Sleeping Giant Awakens
Wrexham is the world‘s third oldest professional football club, founded way back in 1864. Home matches at the 10,500 capacity Racecourse Ground are attended by fiercely loyal and vocal fans.
While Wrexham has never played top-flight English football, they were a solid lower-division club for decades. The team fell on hard times after dropping out of the Football League in 2008. But Wrexham has woken up from its slumber since Reynolds and McElhenney bought the club for £2 million in November 2020.
The high-profile owners have lofty ambitions to gain promotion into the English Football League within 5 years by investing in players and facilities. Can the Hollywood duo help turn Wrexham into a real-life Cinderella story? This writer predicts exciting times ahead!
Transforming the Club‘s Fortunes
Here are some of the ways Reynolds and McElhenney have already begun transforming Wrexham A.F.C. both on and off the field:
- Over £2 million invested in the squad with new player signings
- £100,000 spent on enhancing medical and fitness facilities
- Approved £300,000 for upgrades to the Racecourse Ground
- Launched club‘s first-ever international webshop
- Established official club channels on TikTok, Twitch and LinkedIn
- Initiated several new community programs
The club‘s average home league attendance has increased 15% since the takeover:
| Season | Average Home League Attendance |
|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 3,949 |
| 2020-21 | 4,525 |
| 2021-22 | 5,300 |
Putting Wrexham on the Map
Reynolds and McElhenney have rocketed little Wrexham from parochial obscurity into a global sensation.
The club‘s international profile skyrocketed overnight. Wrexham jerseys and merch are now sold in over 100 countries worldwide. This writer estimates the club is making an extra £250,000 annually just from kit sales.
Wrexham‘s Hollywood makeover was chronicled in the hit documentary "Welcome to Wrexham." The show was a surprise smash streaming hit, giving the club priceless publicity.
McElhenney has suggested each episode was budgeted at around £400,000. With over 23 million views, the series easily brought in over £10 million for Disney.
Ryan Reynolds: Savvy Businessman & Community Advocate
Reynolds has an estimated net worth of $150 million, making Wrexham a passion project rather than a money maker for him. But the investment pleases Reynolds‘ business side, expanding his portfolio beyond Hollywood and giving him experience in sports team ownership.
More importantly though, Reynolds seems committed to using his fame and resources to benefit the people of Wrexham. He recognizes that for working-class communities, football clubs like Wrexham are socioeconomic and cultural cornerstones.
The team‘s motto "Stronger Together" rings true. Reynolds wants Wrexham A.F.C. to continue strengthening both the town and its people. His advocating for Wrexham shows Reynolds‘ shrewd but compassionate nature.
Conclusion: The Sky‘s the Limit
Wrexham AFC is a club transformed. Reynolds and McElhenney have put North Wales football on the global map and awakened a sleeping giant. The wider football world is suddenly paying attention to the Red Dragons.
With celebrity backers, huge investment, and a re-energized fanbase, this writer sees no limit to Wrexham‘s potential. The club‘s future hasn‘t looked this bright in decades. Exciting times are ahead at the Racecourse Ground as Wrexham returns to being a lower-league force!