The Hollywood actor has several high-profile business ventures but always finds himself referencing football and providing updates for Wrexham fans around the globe.
Even when Ryan Reynolds is away from Racecourse Ground, the Hollywood star consistently prioritizes his co-ownership of Wrexham over his other business ventures.
In addition to his successful career as an actor, writer, and producer, Reynolds has established a thriving business empire, including ventures like Aviation Gin, Mint Mobile, the marketing company Maximum Effort, 1Password software, and Wealthsimple. He also holds co-ownership in the F1 Team Alpine and the Welsh football club, a focal point in the documentary series “Welcome to Wrexham.”
On Wednesday, Reynolds was honoured with the Order of British Columbia in a private ceremony, the highest recognition in the province, acknowledging extraordinary contributions. Premier David Eby presented Reynolds with the Certificate of Appointment during the event. Despite the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ crew’s request to film the ceremony, the 47-year-old actor declined.
In a recent interview with the Vancouver Sun, Reynolds delved into his Vancouver, British Columbia upbringing. Even when discussing his early years, Reynolds couldn’t resist mentioning Wrexham, indicating its continued significance.
“I don’t sit back with any degree of cockiness about that,” Reynolds commented on the club’s promotion last season. “It’s football, anything can happen. It’s a kind of edge-of-your-seat situation day in and day out. We are dealing with lots of injuries right now.”
Reynolds’ choice of the term “football” over “soccer” reflects the cultural nuances shaped by his club ownership. Despite financial losses on the investment, Reynolds has embraced the city, expressing passion and commitment.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson previously reflected on the challenging period the club experienced before the arrival of its new ownership, emphasising the significant positive changes brought about by Reynolds and McElhenney. Parkinson confirmed the active involvement of the Hollywood duo in the club’s affairs but clarified that they do not interfere with the selection of the team lineup.
When asked on talkSPORT , Parkinson said: “Very much so. Ryan is going to be here for a while, the next few months. Rob and Ryan are very interested in the players we sign and what team we are selecting and watch every single game over from America, and yeah, they are really, really involved.”
While Reynolds covered his achievements, charitable endeavors, and work perspectives, Wrexham remained the exclusive project where he provided progress and updates. He confirmed that Season 3 of “Welcome to Wrexham” is filming and will premiere in April.
Reynolds and co-owner Rob McElhenney acquired Wrexham’s ownership rights for approximately £2m. Despite initial losses, projections suggest they could sell the football club for around $10m, indicating a substantial profit increase. The duo’s positive impact on Wrexham’s match results, merchandise sales, social media presence, and ticket sales has uplifted the club and the city.
Beyond ownership, Reynolds has gained recognition for his compassionate involvement with the club. Notably, he extended support to midfielder Anthony Forde, facilitating a second opinion after Forde received a diagnosis of an incurable brain tumor. The subsequent evaluation provided relief, revealing that the tumor was benign.