15 March 2023 , 19:02
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Wrexham AFC owner Ryan Reynolds sold one of his companies for over a billion dollars - which could see the non-league club receive an immense financial injection.
Back in November 2020, Deadpool star Reynolds teamed with Rob McElhenney - famed for creating and starring in ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ - to purchase Wrexham for $2.76million. The duo have become symbols of Welsh football around the world with the publicity and exposure their platforms have bought to the club and the area.
They enjoyed success in the form of the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary on Disney+ - but Reynolds has now received a spectacular windfall. He cut his first billion-dollar deal after selling wireless firm Mint Mobile to telecoms giant T-Mobile for $1.35billion (£1.12bn).
The 46-year-old is personally expected to receive a nine-figure payday, although the exact amount is unclear and unconfirmed. According to Investopedia, Reynolds already had an estimated net worth of more than $150m (£124m) although this sale means his number has likely surged.
On Wednesday, Reynolds announced T-Mobile acquired Mint Mobile, which the actor reportedly owned between 20 and 25 percent of the company. In a statement, he said: “Mint Mobile is the best deal in wireless and today’s news only enhances our ability to deliver for our customers.
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“We are so happy T-Mobile beat out an aggressive last-minute bid from my mom Tammy Reynolds as we believe the excellence of their 5G network will provide a better strategic fit than my mom’s slightly-above-average mahjong skills. I am so proud of the entire Mint team and so excited for what’s to come.”
Reynolds has committed to continue his creative roles with the brand and he is reportedly set to continue featuring his sense of humour in Mint Mobile’s commercials. It’s also not the first time he has made money from major sale - Reynolds sold Aviation Gin for $600m (£497m) in 2022.
Ryan Reynolds sold his stake in Mint Mobile for over a billion dollars (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock)The potential money would go hand-in-hand with Wrexham’s new found fame and success as they sit atop the National League. Remarkably, Wrexham are set to enjoy headline friendlies against Chelsea and Manchester United on a pre-season tour in the United States this summer.
Their American owners have big plans for the future, with games against the Premier League giants believed to be provisionally agreed. Their clash with Erik ten Hag’s side is scheduled to go down in San Diego in July, forming part of United’s preseason tour of the US - their first since 2018 - which will likely feature a match in Las Vegas.
Wrexham are also in talks with Chelsea over a friendly which is set to be announced at the Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on July 19. The Welsh club issued a statement to address the rumours, which read: “The club can confirm that our previously publicised plans to tour the US during pre-season are at an advanced stage, but are not as yet finalised.
“Full details of the games the club will play in and where, will be released across the Club's communication channels when they are confirmed. We would advise fans against making any arrangements to travel to the games based on speculation, to avoid disappointment.”