How Much Did Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds Invest in Wrexham AFC?
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have invested a substantial amount in Wrexham AFC. The actors have openly discussed their multi-million dollar commitment to the Welsh soccer club.
In 2020, they famously purchased the struggling club for $2.5 million, transforming it into a thriving franchise since then. As the team has improved—having achieved three promotions in three years—McElhenney and Reynolds have continually upped their financial contributions.
During the Welcome to Wrexham season 2 premiere in September 2023, Reynolds humorously remarked that he might “sell” one of his four children with Blake Lively to raise the $25.5 million needed for the team. (Reynolds and Lively are parents to James, Inez, Betty, and Olin.)
Continue reading to discover how much Wrexham has cost McElhenney and Reynolds over the years:
In the Red
“Let’s discuss how much money we’re losing,” McElhenney joked in an October 2023 episode of Welcome to Wrexham. They revealed that they had incurred an estimated loss of $12 million.
“I’m gonna feel sick,” Reynolds responded. When McElhenney asked how they could begin to turn a profit, the notion of promotion was brought up. (Despite several promotions, financial stability remains a concern.)
Building a Stadium
The expansion of Wrexham’s Racecourse, their stadium, has been a lengthy and costly endeavor.
“We approached the U.K. government for funding to create a new stand, but our proposal was declined,” Wrexham executive director, Humphrey Ker, shared in a May 2024 episode of Welcome to Wrexham. “Nevertheless, we went ahead and demolished the old stand, reapplied for funding, which was then approved, and encountered numerous exciting regulatory challenges before construction could commence.”
Ultimately, they opted to construct a temporary stadium, leaving McElhenney and Reynolds with a net loss of $456,458.
Adding the Women’s Team
Similar to the men’s squad, Wrexham AFC’s Women’s team is also eligible for promotion to higher leagues. A May 2024 episode of Welcome to Wrexham disclosed that the women athletes were not earning any income.
“Last year, while they were still amateur, we inquired if we could compensate them. The answer was a firm no, due to league regulations. This league has restrictions on what they can be paid,” McElhenney explained. “This is just one of many frustrating U.K. football rules that limit our options.”
Eventually, they were able to join the Adran Premier League—the top women’s football league in Wales—transitioning them to a semi-professional status, allowing them to earn salaries.
The Team’s Worth
The Welcome to Wrexham season 4 premiere in May 2025 revealed that the team is now valued at nearly $12 million (market value was cited as $11.98 million).
Moreover, the team’s wage bill—expenses related to employee salaries—was reported to be $8.22 million.
Pulling the Trigger
After two years of two promotions, Wrexham reached a pivotal moment during the Welcome to Wrexham season 4 premiere in May 2025. They faced a choice: remain in League One with a stable setup, risking a loss of $1 million over the coming years without promotion, or pursue a more aggressive strategy.
The actors decided to invest approximately $50 million in hopes of achieving promotion to Championship League by the end of the 2025 season. (The team was promoted in April 2025.)
“Should we take the sensible route and build a sustainable team in League One, or go all in and attempt to secure promotion to the Championship?” McElhenney posed. The significant risk in this scenario is the chance of failing to achieve promotion.
“I say, let’s go for it,” Reynolds added. “Let’s f***ing do it.”
