Co owner of Wrexham, Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds will be looking forward to Wrexham's FA Cup clash with Chelsea (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Ryan Reynolds will be hoping an in-form Wrexham can topple Premier League heavyweights Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Saturday evening sets up a clash between the top flight and the Championship as the Blues travel to the Racecourse Ground for a high-profile cup showdown.
The Red Dragons edged past Ipswich Town in the last round, with Josh Windass netting the match's lone goal to push his team through to the next stage. Chelsea, meanwhile, cruised past Hull City with a commanding 4-0 victory, powered by a Pedro Neto hat-trick and a strike from Estevao to book their place in round five. Reynolds bought Wrexham in 2021 together with Rob McElhenney, and the club has since secured three consecutive promotions under manager Phil Parkinson. A place in the Premier League is now firmly on the Welsh club's horizon.
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They are currently tracking toward a play-off position in the second tier, though domestic cup tournaments also provide an opportunity to test themselves against stronger sides - as well as the possibility of winning silverware. Below, Express Football takes a closer examination of the Wrexham co-owner, covering his wealth and a jab he once made about a major corporation's nickname.
What is Ryan Reynolds' net worth?
Reynolds' shrewd business ventures have attracted significant attention over the past few years. The Canadian actor has shown a knack for savvy investments and is believed to possess a fortune ranging from $400million (£300m) to $448m (£336m).
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A large share of that wealth reportedly comes from his stake in Mint Mobile, which was sold to T-Mobile in 2023. His portion of the deal was said to be worth more than £200m. He previously held a 20 per cent interest in Aviation Gin before the brand was acquired by drinks conglomerate Diageo for roughly £450m.
Wrexham owner, Ryan Reynolds
Reynolds is worth a pretty penny (Image: Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Reynolds and McElhenney later sold a minority share of Wrexham to Apollo Sports Capital (ASC). The move marked another major development, with the club now valued at a staggering £350m.
Earlier this year, the duo also recovered £15m in loans from the club, highlighting the kind of financial decisions that underscore their business acumen. Reynolds' primary career in the film industry is also a major factor. Estimates indicate he earns about £100m annually from acting, combining income from new productions with royalties generated by earlier work.
The actor also played a key role in launching Wrexham into global attention, largely through the FX documentary series Welcome to Wrexham. The show provides yet another revenue stream in which he and fellow owner McElhenney are likely to receive a sizeable share, thereby increasing their share of any profits.
Ryan Reynolds
Reynolds has enjoyed wave after wave of success in north Wales (Image: Getty)
Who did Ryan Reynolds split up with?
Reynolds is now married to actress Blake Lively, and the couple have three daughters and a son together. Before meeting Lively, however, he had previously been married to another major Hollywood figure, Scarlett Johansson.
Their relationship began soon after his break-up with former fiancee Alanis Morissette and progressed quickly. Reynolds and Johansson revealed their engagement a little over a year after going public with their relationship, and they tied the knot in September 2008.
However, the marriage did not last long, ending after just under two years when the couple announced their separation. By July 2011, the divorce was officially finalised, and only a few months later, Reynolds confirmed he was dating Lively.
Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson
Reynolds was married to Scarlett Johansson (Image: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
In May 2011, Reynolds admitted he was still "in pain" following the divorce and has generally avoided discussing the relationship in detail. Johansson, meanwhile, referred to Reynolds as "a good guy" when his name came up during a 2023 appearance on Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop podcast.
How did Ryan Reynolds respond to 'Disney FC' dig?
Reynolds also addressed rivals labelling Wrexham 'Disney FC' after James McClean left in January. The Irish player returned to Derry City during the transfer window earlier this year and expressed gratitude to the Welsh club for their backing.
He said: "It's genuinely been the most incredible and enjoyable couple of years I have had. A huge thank you to @vancityreynolds and @robmac, who are two incredible people by the way, for giving me the opportunity to be part of the magic that is Wrexham - or to people outside of Wrexham, 'Disney FC.'"
Ryan Reynolds and Robert McElhenney
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney were clear about their feelings (Image: Joe Prior/Getty Images)
This brief reference highlights the nickname rival supporters frequently use for the Red Dragons. The club appears on Disney+ in the widely watched documentary Welcome to Wrexham, which chronicles their successful promotion pushes for a global audience.
The label has gradually become a popular insult aimed at the team, and Reynolds chose to confront it directly. He said: "Usually, we start each episode with something funny or heartwarming, but this week I think we should address what people have been saying about us.
"You know, the Disney thing. We get it, there are similarities. We like parades, we like fans, we like costumed characters and merch. I could go on."
Aston Villa v Chelsea - Premier League
Wrexham face Chelsea - who just smashed Aston Villa 4-1 - in the FA Cup on Saturday (Image: Getty)
Co-owner McElhenney interjected: "We invite you all to come experience that magic with us through the tale of Disney FC. The rest of you jaded p***** can go f*** your f****** selves."
He continued: "Two things. One, to all the opposing clubs that are upset we didn't choose them and went with Wrexham instead, I am sorry. And two, what was two again?"
Reynolds replied: "One was sorry we thought Wrexham was more special than the other clubs, and two was," before the two owners wrapped up the segment by making rude gestures toward the camera.
The reaction from Wrexham's owners to the nickname reflects their indifference toward critics and shows that their attention is on bigger priorities - including the upcoming FA Cup meeting with Chelsea.