Ryan Reynolds may be one of the most recognisable faces in football club ownership, but the Hollywood star's wealth is a fraction of the sport's richest backers. The 47-year-old actor, who co-owns Wrexham AFC with Rob McElhenney, has an estimated net worth of £288 million, according to recent reports. Combined with McElhenney's approximate £50 million, their total is £338 million.
That sum pales in comparison to other owners, even within League Two. Salford City, Wrexham's divisional rivals, are backed by Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim, whose net worth is estimated at £1.56 billion. Further up the football pyramid, the financial gap widens dramatically.
Newcastle United, following their 2021 takeover by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), are the world's wealthiest club. PIF's total assets are estimated at £637 billion, dwarfing the Wrexham owners. In the Premier League, Manchester City's majority owner Sheikh Mansour has a net worth exceeding £17 billion, while prospective Manchester United investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe is worth around £14.8 billion.
Across Europe, RB Leipzig is backed by Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz's estate, valued at £27.8 billion. French club Rennes is owned by François Pinault and family, worth £25 billion, while Nice is owned by INEOS, whose CEO Sir Jim Ratcliffe is worth £14.8 billion.
Despite the financial disparity, Wrexham has enjoyed remarkable success since Reynolds and McElhenney's £2.25 million purchase in November 2020. The club gained promotion to the English Football League last season and is well-placed for further ascent. The 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary series has brought global attention, providing a financial boost, but the owners have acknowledged they are 'losing loads of money' at the club.
