Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds is reportedly set to be part of an £11.8m takeover of Colombian team Equidad FC, which could see the club relocated to a new city.
Reynolds is a member of the Tylis-Porter investment group, which includes baseball star Justin Verlander and former Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil. Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria is also expected to invest in Equidad alongside Reynolds.
The Hollywood actor, along with fellow Wrexham owner Rob McElhenney,has earned a strong reputation in football ownership due to Wrexham’s impressive success and rise through the English lower leagues. However, this could be challenged as rumours suggest he plans to move the Bogota-based team.
Reports indicate the consortium led by the Deadpool star is considering not only moving the team out of Colombia’s capital but also changing the club’s name. With two other football teams, Club Deportivo Los Millonarios and Independiente Santa Fe, also based in the city of 7.9 million people, it has been challenging for Equidad to attract fans
Therefore, a new name and location are seen as vital, as per the Mirror. Colombian journalist Felipe Sierra said on ‘Sin Boleta’:”Not only is the name change being evaluated, but also the change of city. It is one of the alternatives, although the name is almost a fact. Next week the document has to be signed to make the transfer official.”
Clubs across Colombia’s football landscape are experiencing name changes under new ownership, and with Reynolds’ backing, Equidad could soon sport a fresh moniker. Although it’s not yet disclosed how much Reynolds intends to invest, the expected buyout from the Tylis-Porter group stands at approximately £11.8m.
Wrexham fans can breathe a sigh of relief however. Despite Reynolds’ moves in the Colombian market, his control over Wrexham AFC is anchored by earlier pledges.
Following their acquisition in 2020, Reynolds and fellow actor McElhenney made firm commitments, including assuring that Wrexham will not face relocation, renaming, or rebranding efforts under their watch. They have shown a genuine appreciation for the game in the UK and a complete understanding of what Wrexham’s football club means to the local community.
While it’s common in North America for teams to change names and locations, with numerous MLB, NBA and NFL teams undergoing significant transformations over the years, it’s a far less frequent occurrence on UK soil.
