Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the Hollywood stars who have transformed the fortunes of Wrexham Football Club as its co-owners, are considering a further investment in Welsh sport with cricket side Welsh Fire.
Under the pair's stewardship, Wrexham have enjoyed back-to-back promotions to return to the third tier of the English Football League for the first time in 19 years. Now Reynolds and McElhenney could buy a stake in Welsh Fire, The Hundred franchise who play their home games at Glamorgan County Cricket Club's Sophia Gardens ground in Cardiff.
Glamorgan hold a 51% stake in Welsh Fire and the club's chief executive, Dan Cherry, told ESPNcricinfo that Reynolds and McElhenney have "made contact" over buying into the franchise.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is looking to raise about £500m from the sale of 49% stakes in the eight teams taking part in The Hundred.
"It is a feasible option. Contact's been made," Cherry confirmed.
"There's not been anything substantial come back yet, but we're in the process and I know that they'll certainly be included in any process that we've got going forward.
"All bids and offers that are going to come in are going to be interesting to us, and we're going to have to evaluate what the best bid is for us.
"There's obvious interest in what Ryan Reynolds and the guys have done at Wrexham, which has been fantastic for football in north Wales.
"That doesn't necessarily mean to say that it'll be the right option for us, but if they're interested in talking to us, obviously it's an exciting proposition."
The Hundred Investment Opportunity
The eight hosts that will get a 51% share of their Hundred teams are Lord’s (MCC/London Spirit), The Oval (Surrey/Oval Invincibles), Southampton (Hampshire/Southern Brave), Cardiff (Glamorgan/Welsh Fire), Trent Bridge (Nottinghamshire/Trent Rockets), Edgbaston (Warwickshire/Birmingham Phoenix), Old Trafford (Lancashire/Manchester Originals) and Headingley (Yorkshire/Northern Superchargers).
These hosts can sell all or part of their stake, or keep it all. If they do sell, 10% of the proceeds will go to the recreational game.
Potential Impact on Welsh Fire
If Reynolds and McElhenney were to invest in Welsh Fire, it could potentially have a significant impact on the franchise. Their proven track record of success in transforming Wrexham's fortunes could bring a similar wave of enthusiasm to the Welsh Fire brand, potentially attracting new fans and boosting commercial opportunities.
Cherry has already highlighted the potential for "growing the brand globally" as a key benefit of Reynolds and McElhenney's involvement. The pair's global reach and ability to attract attention through their social media platforms could help to raise the profile of Welsh Fire beyond its current fanbase.
A Growing Sports Portfolio
Reynolds and McElhenney are part of an investment group that owns stakes in Mexican football side Necaxa and the Alpine Formula 1 team, so becoming involved in cricket would add another arm to their sporting portfolio.
Their interest in cricket underscores their commitment to investing in sport and their belief in its potential for growth. If they do decide to invest in Welsh Fire, it would represent a bold move that could reshape the landscape of Welsh cricket.
From Wrexham to Welsh Fire: A New Era for Welsh Sport?
Reynolds and McElhenney's potential foray into cricket has sparked excitement among Welsh cricket fans, who are hopeful that the Hollywood duo can inject the same energy and passion into the sport as they have into football. The prospect of their involvement in Welsh Fire could usher in a new era for the franchise, bringing with it increased visibility, investment, and potentially a new generation of cricket enthusiasts.
