The remarkable journey of Hollywood star and Wrexham AFC co-owner Rob Mac continues to captivate fans on both sides of the Atlantic. From a struggling actor to a football club mogul with a multi-million dollar fortune, his story is one of dramatic transformation, fuelled by the global success of Welcome to Wrexham.
From Waiter to Wrexham: Building a $50 Million Empire
Rob Mac, the creative force behind the long-running sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, has seen his financial and professional profile soar. His estimated net worth now stands at around $50 million (£37.4m), amassed through his television work and strategic investments.
Since purchasing Wrexham with Ryan Reynolds in February 2021, the club's valuation has skyrocketed to a reported £350 million. Their ambitious project has delivered three consecutive promotions, taking the Red Dragons from the National League to the Championship. In a major move in December 2025, Mac and Reynolds sold a minority stake to Apollo Sports Capital to fund their Premier League dreams and a stadium transformation.
Mac's business interests extend far beyond the Racecourse Ground. He co-founded More Better Industries in 2024 and, alongside Reynolds, holds stakes in:
- The Alpine Racing Formula One team (24%)
- Mexican football club Club Necaxa
- Colombian side Internacional de Bogota
A Hollywood Love Story Kept Secret from Co-Stars
Mac's personal life features a classic Hollywood romance that began on set. He met actress Kaitlin Olson in 2006 when she joined the It's Always Sunny cast. The pair married in 2008 and have two sons: Axel Lee (born 2010) and Leo Grey (born 2012).
Intriguingly, the couple initially kept their relationship a secret from their co-stars for an entire season to avoid on-set complications. Olson revealed they would sneak between hotel rooms during filming, convinced their flirtation was obvious, yet their colleagues remained unaware.
The Real Reason Behind the Surname Switch
In May 2025, Rob Mac formally changed his surname from McElhenney to the simpler Mac. The decision, which he admitted might seem "kinda douchey," was driven by practicality after years of constant misspellings and mispronunciations.
He explained that correcting people had wasted "literally days" of his life. Mac also noted the surname's spelling had been altered by officials generations ago, meaning 'Mac' felt like a return to roots. His wife Olson revealed their children were less thrilled, quipping they are "stuck with McElhenney."
The story of Rob Mac is a testament to reinvention—from a waiter in Los Angeles to a central figure in a sporting fairy tale, all while navigating fame, family, and the desire for a simpler signature.
