Why America is fascinated with Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham United

Americans are fascinated with Wrexham United for one reason: Hollywood A-Lister Ryan Reynolds is one of the team's owners.

The Deadpool star runs the Welsh side with co-owner Robert McElhenney, best known for his role as “Mac” on the FX/FXX comedy show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

The two bought the storied team, the oldest club in Wales, for $2.5 million back in 2021. The Welsh club was founded in 1864 and is in the fifth tier of the English league system — the National league, known as the Vanarama National League.

Last year, the team gained prominence with the FX sports documentary TV show “Welcome to Wrexham.” The Red Dragons play their home matches at the now-sold-out Racecourse Ground. Merchandise also continues to fly off the shelves.

But the business venture left Blake Lively, Reynold's mega-star Hollywood wife, shocked. When Jimmy Kimmel asked her about the investment, she said, “Not good. Not great. We're still working through that one.”

Hollywood's power couple are all in now, with Lively tuning in to watch her husband's “crippling anxiety” when ESPN 2 broadcasted Wrexham AFC's match with Sheffield United on January 29.

“If you're not watching this insane @wrexham_afc game right now you're missing out on these vibes,” the 35-year-old actress said.

“It was truly one of the most exciting 90 minutes I've ever had in my entire life,” Reynolds told ESPN.

The Robins are one of the most exciting stories in football

Wrexham and Sheffield United drew 3-3 at the atmospheric Racecourse Ground, setting up an FA Cup fourth-round rematch tonight at Bramall Lane. Wrexham striker Paul Mullin is in good form, having scored seven goals in the FA Cup this season.

The winner of Sheffield United vs. Wrexham takes on Premier League heavyweights Tottenham in a fifth-round home tie. US viewers can watch Sheffield United and Wrexham go head-to-head on ESPN2, ESPN+, and Fubo.

For the record, Wrexham is second in the National League table — 71 places behind Sheffield United (The Championship, level 2) in English football's pyramid. The club aims for a return to the Football League and, ultimately, the Premier League in what would be a remarkable story.

With Reynolds and McElhenney's strong financial backing, a true Hollywood story could be in the cards. The team plans to play pre-season matches this summer in the states, along with entering a team for the new 7-on-7 tournament in North Carolina.

Photo: Instagram/vancityreynolds