Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds stands on the brink of another remarkable financial windfall, this time through football. That is thanks to Wrexham's fairytale rise, which now means they are just one step away from the Premier League.
The Welsh side, co-owned by Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, head into the final day of the Championship season in sixth place, knowing that victory could clinch a play-off place. Wrexham are level on points with Hull City and only one clear of Derby County, meaning there is no room for slip-ups when they host Middlesbrough, who have already secured their own play-off spot.
£100m Jackpot Within Touching Distance
Should Wrexham clinch promotion through the play-offs to the Premier League, they would unlock a financial windfall worth at least £100 million in their first season alone. That sum is driven mainly by the Premier League's global broadcasting deals, with clubs receiving huge central distributions simply for participating in the division.
Over a three-year period, factoring in parachute payments should they suffer relegation, the total value of promotion is widely estimated at £170 million or more, with commercial revenue, sponsorship and global visibility driving that figure even higher.
For Reynolds and McElhenney, it would mark a monumental return on their investment - and another chapter in one of football's most unlikely tales. Since buying Wrexham in 2021 for £2 million, the Hollywood duo have presided over a meteoric rise. Three consecutive promotions have catapulted the club from non-league into the Championship, and now they are on the verge of reaching the biggest league in world football in just five seasons. The club is now reportedly valued at approximately £350 million, a huge increase driven by on-pitch success and the worldwide attention created by the documentary series Welcome to Wrexham.
Astonishing Net Worth
Reynolds is estimated to be worth roughly $400 million (£295 million), cementing his position as one of Hollywood's top earners. According to Forbes, the Canadian actor was the second highest-paid star in 2024, raking in around £79 million and trailing only Dwayne Johnson in the rich list.
Much of that income has stemmed from major projects, including box office smash Deadpool and Wolverine, alongside family film IF and the Emmy-winning documentary series Welcome to Wrexham. Reynolds has also boosted his fortune through shrewd business ventures. He held up to a 20% stake in Aviation Gin before its sale in a $600 million (£443 million) deal in 2020. A further windfall followed in 2023 when he sold a major share in Mint Mobile to T-Mobile as part of a $1.35 billion (£997 million) agreement, reportedly earning him more than $300 million (£220 million).
Away from Hollywood, Reynolds has injected considerable funds into Wrexham AFC, with he and co-owner Rob McElhenney believed to have invested over £20 million since their 2020 takeover. Yet, the journey has not come without a cost. During a 2023 episode of Welcome to Wrexham, the pair revealed losses of around $12 million (£8.9 million), prompting Reynolds to joke: "I am going to throw up." More recently, the club has secured a major financial windfall of close to £50 million thanks to investment from Apollo Sports Capital, after the Allyn family bought a stake of roughly 15% in 2024. Having been bought for just £2 million five years ago, Wrexham's worth is now said to have rocketed to near £350 million.
Life With Famous Wife After Hollywood Divorce
Reynolds has been married to Gossip Girl star Blake Lively since 2012, with the pair first crossing paths on the set of Green Lantern. Their romance quickly captured the public's attention and the couple became one of Hollywood's most recognisable couples, marrying in a private ceremony in South Carolina before going on to have four children together - James, Inez, Betty and Olin.
Lively has frequently been spotted in north Wales cheering on Wrexham AFC at the Racecourse Ground and posted a heartfelt message following the club's Championship promotion. "Back to back to back," she wrote on Instagram. "History was made. Congratulations to @wrexham_afc. I will never forget the love and elation in that town today. Thank you for sharing it with us always." Prior to his relationship with Lively, Reynolds had enjoyed a string of high-profile romances. He was engaged to fellow Canadian Alanis Morissette after the pair met in 2002, though they went their separate ways in 2007, later remaining on good terms. He was also romantically linked with a number of A-listers, including Sandra Bullock, Melissa Joan Hart and Charlize Theron, before tying the knot with Scarlett Johansson in 2008. That marriage came to an end in 2010, with both citing gruelling work schedules and little time spent together as the driving forces behind the split.
How Did Ryan Reynolds Meet Rob McElhenney?
Despite having overseen one of football's most extraordinary stories together, Reynolds and McElhenney barely knew each other when they first set about buying Wrexham, having exchanged only a handful of messages online. In fact, the idea did not originate with Reynolds. It was McElhenney who pushed the move after teaming up with British writer and football enthusiast Humphrey Ker, who introduced him to the possibility of owning a club. Though not initially a football fan, McElhenney became intrigued by Ker's passion for Liverpool FC, and during the coronavirus lockdown was encouraged to watch the Netflix documentary Sunderland 'Til I Die.
The series marked a pivotal moment, sparking the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star's desire to pursue club ownership and even document the experience himself. After establishing a budget, Ker helped identify suitable clubs, with Wrexham standing out as an intriguing prospect thanks to its rich history, loyal fanbase and need for fresh investment following the pandemic. McElhenney then reached out to Reynolds - having previously connected with him online - in an attempt to bring both financial muscle and celebrity appeal to the venture. Reynolds embraced the concept, choosing not to just invest but to join as a full co-owner alongside McElhenney. In November 2020, the pair completed a £2 million takeover, and despite not meeting in person until April 2021, they have since developed a close friendship.
McElhenney later told People that Reynolds is now one of his closest friends, describing him as a "kind and generous soul" and someone he can always rely on. He added: "Our families have grown incredibly close, and even though we live on opposite coasts, we feel like we are right next to each other."
