On the fifth anniversary of their £2m takeover of Wrexham, Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took to the Sky Sports gantry for the Welsh derby against Swansea City. The broadcast, dubbed 'very Wrexham-heavy' by presenter David Prutton, saw the duo provide their own commentary alongside former players Ben Foster, Ollie Palmer, and Steven Fletcher.
Reynolds and Mac embraced their roles as 'happy clapper' owners, leaving football matters to manager Phil Parkinson. They reacted authentically to key moments, such as Arthur Okonkwo's save and Nathan Broadhead's goal, with Reynolds squealing 'here we go' during Wrexham attacks. Despite concerns about American soccerisms, the pair largely avoided cringey terminology, with McElhenney once admonishing Reynolds for using the S-word.
The match itself saw Wrexham secure a 2-0 victory, boosting their playoff hopes in the Championship. The win continues a remarkable rise under Parkinson, who has led the club to three successive promotions since the takeover. For Swansea fans, the focus on Wrexham's celebrity owners may have grated, though the visitors count Snoop Dogg among their own investors.
While some feared the Hollywood involvement would overshadow on-field success, Reynolds and Mac have stayed true to their word by not interfering in football decisions. Their genuine passion during the broadcast suggested they have fully assimilated into British football culture, even if the Sky Sports stunt left some questioning the prioritisation of content over the game.
