Wrexham’s Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney ‘express interest in buying stake in Hundred franchise ahead of the competition’s reboot in 2025’

Wrexham’s Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are reportedly interested in investing in a new sport.

Since taking over at Wrexham in 2021, the American pair have overseen the Welsh club secure back-to-back promotions to move out of non-league football and into League One.

According to The Sun, they are now keen on moving into cricket, and have held talks with the English Cricket Board (ECB) over buying a stake in Hundred franchise Welsh Fire.

Mail Sport revealed on Monday that the ECB are hopeful of enticing American investment in the Hundred as they want stakes in all eight teams to be sold ahead of the competition’s reboot in 2025.

They intend to sell 49 per cent of the eight sides to private investors, which equates to around £20m in the case of Welsh Fire, who are the cheapest of the franchises.

They have held talks with the ECB over investment into Welsh Fire – one of the eight franchises in the Hundred

The latest edition of the Hundred is due to start on Tuesday with a double-header between Oval Invincibles and Birmingham Phoenix

And it is understood that they have already spoken to Reynolds and McElhenney about potential investment.

Reynolds and McElhenney, both 47, have been invited to watch matches at this year’s tournament, which gets underway on Tuesday with a double-header between Oval Invincibles and Birmingham Phoenix.

The two actors have investments in Mexican football team Necaxa and Formula One outfit Alpine, but this would be their first venture into cricket if they opt to move forward with a deal.

The sale would be handled by the Raine Group, who were involved in Todd Boehly’s takeover of Chelsea in 2022, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe becoming Manchester United’s part-owner earlier this year. 

The Glazers still have a majority stake in United, and they also have a ‘firm interest’ in buying into a Hundred franchise, as reported by The Telegraph.

They have already bought UAE cricket side Desert Vipers – who play in the lucrative ILT20 – and could now turn their attention to cricket in the UK.

Formula One giants Red Bull have also been linked with a potential investment in a franchise.

The Glazers have also shown an interest in buying a stake in a Hundred team

Red Bull have dominated Formula One in recent years, and could make the move into cricket

News of cricket branching out and potentially attracting investors from different sports comes after the ECB admitted they had reached out to NFL owners to try to get them involved.

‘We have sent a document and video to some NFL owners to explain what cricket is,’ ECB director of business operations Vikram Banerjee explained.

‘In terms of fan engagement, how they can build stadia experience and bring in the next generation, those guys are amazing. We can bring that blend together.’