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Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased Wrexham AFC, a fifth-division English football club, for $2.5 million, they had a revenue of approximately $3.2 million in one season.
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They among other investers recently acquired a 24% stake in the Alpine Formula 1 team for a significant investment of $218 million.
In a remarkable demonstration of the influence of marketing and storytelling, actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney made headlines when they purchased Wrexham AFC, a fifth-division English football club, for $2.5 million. Despite the club’s limited chances of ascending to the prestigious Premier League, Reynolds and McElhenney embarked on an ambitious journey to revitalize Wrexham’s fortunes.
Their first move was the launch of “Welcome to Wrexham,” a documentary-style TV show on FX inspired by Netflix’s successful F1 series, “Drive to Survive.” The show proved to be an enormous success, generating an estimated revenue of approximately $3.2 million in just one season, surpassing the club’s initial valuation. The financial impact was significant, affirming the potential of strategic storytelling in sports.
The positive outcomes extended beyond financial gains. Wrexham witnessed a remarkable surge in popularity across various social media platforms. Their Twitter following skyrocketed from 45,000 to +532,579, while their Instagram account experienced a meteoric rise from 27,000 to +975,000 followers. Additionally, their TikTok presence exploded from zero to an impressive +1.4 million followers. This surge in online engagement translated into tangible revenue as the club secured kit sponsorship deals with prominent companies such as TikTok, Expedia, Vistaprint, Aviation American Gin, and United Airlines.
Moreover, the local community wholeheartedly embraced the club’s new direction. The number of season ticket holders more than doubled since the arrival of Reynolds and McElhenney, with figures rising from 2,609 in 2019 to 6,820 in 2022. This growth exemplifies the power of community support and the ability of strategic marketing initiatives to reinvigorate a club’s fortunes.
Emboldened by the success of their venture with Wrexham AFC, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have decided to double down on sports investments. Teaming up with Otro Capital, RedBird Capital, Michael B. Jordan, and other investors, they recently acquired a 24% stake in the Alpine Formula 1 team for a significant investment of $218 million. The deal places a valuation of $900 million on Alpine’s F1 team and opens doors for Reynolds and his co-investors to drive substantial revenue to the team while leveraging their star power to enhance its profile.
This latest move not only demonstrates Reynolds’ and McElhenney’s unwavering belief in the transformative power of marketing and storytelling in the sports industry but also showcases their ability to identify unique investment opportunities. By utilizing their expertise and resources, they aim to elevate Alpine’s enterprise value and secure a prosperous future for the team.
Reynolds and McElhenney’s endeavors serve as an inspiration for other investors, demonstrating the transformative effects of strategic marketing and the ability to shape the trajectory of sports organizations through innovative approaches.
As their ventures continue to evolve, the world will eagerly watch how Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, and their partners leave an indelible mark on the sports industry, driven by their unwavering belief in the power of community, storytelling, and effective marketing.
Ryan Reynolds is one of the greatest storytellers of our generation, and he found the perfect canvas: Sports.
Let me explain…
Ryan Reynolds and fellow actor Rob McElhenney purchased Wrexham AFC for $2.5 million.
Wrexham was in the 5th division of the English football pyramid… pic.twitter.com/T0Luvk1yAK
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) June 26, 2023
