Wrexham have become a global success story under Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, changing the landscape of sport in the process.
Wrexham may have started the Championship season with two defeats in two games, but try telling any die-hard fan that this isn’t living the dream.
The National League days are long gone, and games against the likes of Southampton and West Bromwich Albion were not even on the radar a few years ago.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ takeover changed the game for Wrexham, sparking an unprecedented run of three straight promotions.
Wrexham have enjoyed off-pitch success under the Hollywood duo, raking in enormous commercial revenue off the back of their fame.
The Wrexham journey doesn’t appear to be ending any time soon, and the influence of McElhenney and Reynolds is clear elsewhere in sport.
Ryan Reynolds earns praise for Wrexham journey
Earlier this year, Reynolds announced a new sporting investment to go alongside Wrexham and many others.
Reynolds invested in a SailGP team, joining forces with fellow celebrity Hugh Jackman to invest in the BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team.
SailGP has become a rapidly growing competition, with Kylian Mbappe now even involved as an investor through Coalition Capital.
Reynolds now finds himself involved as well, and his influence has been highlighted by SailGP managing director Andrew Thompson.
Speaking on the Business of Sport podcast – recorded before Reynolds’ investment – Thompson noted that Reynolds would be a ‘dream’ owner based on his work at Wrexham.
Thompson branded Wrexham’s rise ‘incredible’, praising Reynolds and McElhenney for their work at the STōK Cae Ras.
Thompson noted that Reynolds and McElhenney have found the magic touch in terms of storytelling at Wrexham, but they have also shown a light on the Wrexham community to great effect through ‘Welcome to Wrexham’.
Reynolds invested in SailGP just weeks after the episode was recorded, with Thompson’s investment dream coming true.
“You just have to see what they’ve done with Wrexham, it’s incredible,” said Thompson.
“It’s athletes as heroes, it’s storytelling, it’s… how they’ve transformed a club, but really getting to the heart of the community.
“You’ve seen the success of Wrexham on and off the field, so what a journey they’ve been on,” he added.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have changed the game
McElhenney and Reynolds have brought major success to Wrexham, sparking a wave of celebrity investment in football.
Former NFL superstar J.J. Watt invested in Burnley in 2023, and Tom Brady is now involved at Birmingham City.
Snoop Dogg is now on board at Swansea City, with celebrity investment becoming more and more common in football.
McElhenney and Reynolds have turned Wrexham into such a huge success story, and other celebrities are now sensing an opportunity to do the same elsewhere.
Whether it’s football or sailing, celebrity investment looks set to continue in the coming years, though matching what McElhenney and Reynolds have achieved at Wrexham won’t be easy.