Wrexham FC continues to produce one of the greatest returns on investment in recent sports history.
The Welsh soccer club was bought by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in 2021 for $2.5 million. Now, it’s looking to sell a stake that values the team at $475 million, Bloomberg reported Wednesday.
If they’re able to find an investor at that price, it would mark a staggering 18,900% valuation increase to match the club’s rapid rise on the pitch. Wrexham has been promoted three straight times under its celebrity owners and will play in the Championship in 2025–26, one level below the English Premier League.
Fellow Championship team Sheffield was sold in December for $135 million. The most valuable Premier League clubs are valued in the billions, but Everton recently sold in a deal that British media estimated at $500 million.
The team’s story, documented in the popular Welcome to Wrexham show, has made it a global brand. The club was struggling financially when it was bought in 2021 and generated $35.6 million in revenue for the fiscal year ending in June 2024, which was a 155% increase year-over-year.
In October 2024, the club reached a valuation of roughly $136 million after selling a stake for about 15% to the Allyn family, who hail from New York and made their money off medical devices.
The team needs money in order to fund a competitive roster. Average salaries roughly triple from League One to the Championship. “The jump in salaries is incredible, mind-blowing,” manager Phil Parkinson said. The team is also adding thousands of seats to its stadium, another expensive project.
