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Wrexham’s reported $475m valuation under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney is being called “bonkers,” with critics pointing to the club’s media-fuelled rise as a “Disneyification” of football.
Wrexham’s reported $475 million (£352m) valuation has been labelled “bonkers” by sports finance expert Dr. Rob Wilson, who says the club’s meteoric rise reflects a blend of smart business and Hollywood magic.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased the club in 2021 for just £2 million. Since then, they’ve overseen a remarkable three consecutive promotions, taking the Red Dragons from the National League to the Championship.
Their ownership has turned the club into a global brand, amplified by the popular ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary and a massive international fanbase. That off-field buzz, along with on-field success, has sparked talks of bringing in new investors to fuel further progress—potentially all the way to the Premier League.
But Dr. Wilson believes the valuation is overly optimistic. “It’s bonkers. It reflects the Disneyification of Wrexham. Their projected earnings, media exposure from the Disney+ series, and global following have inflated things. Football as a product is sometimes nuts.”
He continued: “They're running a smart business, amplified by ownership. But a valuation four times that of Sheffield United is really optimistic.”
Reynolds and McElhenney have already sold a stake in the club to the billionaire Allyn family and plan to bring in more investors. Meanwhile, manager Phil Parkinson is working on strengthening the squad for the next campaign.