Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, after an incredible run with Wrexham AFC in Wales, join Liga MX.
The Hollywood stars bought a minority stake in Necaxa from Liga MX, it was reported on Monday. The deal was “in the works for months and was recently completed,” according to . Details of their investment are not known, although the investment was made through their RR McReynolds Company, which owns Wrexham.
Reynolds and McElhenney are just the latest celebrities to recently join Necaxa. Actress Eva Longoria was among the ownership group that bought a 50% stake in the club in 2021. Other celebrities and athletes such as Kate Upton, Odell Beckham Jr., Justin Verlander, Victor Oladipo and Shawn Marion, among others, have made smaller investments. It’s unclear what role, if any, Reynolds and McElhenney will play in the franchise.
Necaxa, which lost 5-2 to Monterrey on Saturday, currently has a record of 7-6-4 and sits in ninth place in the Liga MX standings. The club, based in Aguascalientes in central Mexico, finished last in the standings in 2023. Necaxa have won three Liga MX titles, but their most recent win was in 1998, and two CONCACAF Champions Cups. Their Liga MX title drought is the second longest in the league among clubs that have won a championship.
According to Sportico, Necaxa was valued at more than $200 million in 2022. By comparison, the lowest-valued MLS team was last listed at $400 million. Two clubs are listed for more than $1 billion.
Reynolds and McElhenney bought Wrexham in 2020 for $2.5 million. Since taking over the club, the club has been promoted and internationally recognized twice – thanks in part to the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary series the pair produced on FX. Wrexham will play in the third tier of English football next season after the club’s history.
