By GB News (World News) | Created at 2025-01-15 22:21:17 | Updated at 2025-01-16 00:55:58
2 hours ago
Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have further expanded their football empire by joining a consortium to purchase Colombian club La Equidad.
The Wrexham owners, alongside actress Eva Longoria and other high-profile investors including baseball star Justin Verlander and model Kate Upton, have acquired more than 99 per cent of the Bogota-based club.
The deal values La Equidad at over $30million (£24.5m), marking the latest venture into football ownership for the celebrity duo.
The acquisition adds to Reynolds and McElhenney's growing portfolio of football clubs, which includes Welsh side Wrexham and Mexican outfit Club Necaxa.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are set to purchase a third club
PA
The US consortium is fronted by real estate investor Al Tylis and Club Necaxa executive Sam Porter.
Speaking to The Athletic, Porter expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition: "I am pleased to confirm that Al Tylis, our investment partners, and I have successfully acquired Club Deportivo La Equidad."
"This is an incredible opportunity to enhance the club's growth in every aspect and to become an integral part of Colombian football," he added.
Porter highlighted the strength of their investor group, which includes Longoria, Reynolds, McElhenney, and former NBA player Shawn Marion, noting their previous involvement with Club Necaxa in Mexico.
La Equidad play their home matches at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Colombia's capital city, Bogota.
The stadium has a capacity of 10,000 spectators.
The Colombian side finished 13th in their domestic top flight during the 2024 season, in a league comprising 20 teams.
Reynolds and McElhenney already hold a minority stake in Mexican side Club Necaxa, where the Tylis-Porter group acquired approximately 50 per cent ownership in 2021.
Ryan Reynolds is building a football club empire
PA
A potential documentary series about La Equidad could be in development, following the success of Welcome to Wrexham.
Filming has already taken place for a similar series about Club Necaxa, titled 'Bienvenido a Necaxa', which has reportedly been acquired by FX and Disney+ Latin America.
Reynolds and McElhenney will serve as executive producers and on-air stars for the Necaxa series, mirroring their roles in Welcome to Wrexham.
With Reynolds, McElhenney and Longoria all owning their own production companies, a documentary about their latest Colombian venture appears possible, though no official announcement has been made.
