Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s response to Wrexham wages revelation speaks volumes

On Mar 31, 2025

Wrexham director Humphrey Ker has revealed the reaction of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to being told the club’s wage bill may need to be quadrupled in the Championship

14:19, 31 Mar 2025Updated 14:19, 31 Mar 2025

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney had a telling reaction to the projected wage bill(Image: AMA/Getty Images)

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney couldn’t conceal their feelings when they were told that Wrexham‘s payroll might have to balloon if they go up to the Championship. Phil Parkinson’s team are teetering on the brink of a hat-trick of promotions, currently sitting in second place in League One.

The pair have already splashed out millions into the club since their takeover in February 2021. New accounting details reveal Wrexham’s total wage packet hit a colossal £11million in League Two last season, covering everyone from the players to backroom staff.

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This season has seen even more cash dished out by the Red Dragons, roping in top earners like Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez in January. Ex-Premier League star Rodriguez is bagging a cool £15,000 weekly, bonuses included, after waving goodbye to Burnley in the winter transfer window.

Now, Wrexham director Humphrey Ker has lifted the lid on needing to boost the wage budget fourfold if the club climbs up to the Championship. However, both Reynolds and McElhenney apparently took the update in their stride during a discussion on Zoom.

“We’ve done a lot of strategic forecasting and things like that,” Ker told the Fearless in Devotion fan podcast. “This was something that was discussed very early on this season in terms of what it would likely end up costing. Everybody is very aware of what would be required, which is good.

“When we had that Zoom, I watched like a hawk and I was looking at Rob and Ryan’s boxes to see what their faces do when these kinds of sums come up. They both looked very calm, which was good.”

Wrexham executive director Humphrey Ker speaking on ITV

Humphrey Ker has revealed how much promotion would cost Wrexham(Image: ITV)

Wrexham’s yearly turnover has skyrocketed to a jaw-dropping £26.7m thanks to the international spotlight brought on by Reynolds and McElhenney’s takeover, along with the buzz from their ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ docuseries.

Despite posting a financial loss of £2.7m for the year ending June 2024, the club is cushioned by hefty commercial contracts with giants like United Airlines and HP as they aim to climb the football ladder.

The club has seen sponsorship revenues soar from £1.9m to a massive £13.2m over the 12 month period, with Ker indicating that Wrexham aren’t just relying on the celeb owners’ cash injections. He hinted that commercial earnings are set to bloom further should the club secure a promotion.

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Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary ‘Welcome to Wrexham’.

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Ker said: “I think what the accounts showed recently is that despite what many fans of other clubs have felt, where Rob and Ryan are just pumping money into this thing, it’s not [like that], and we have spent our sponsorship money on things.

“If and when we do go up into the Championship, those sponsorship deals will get bigger and the TV money will get bigger. We will find ways to pay for it that do not include dumping a lot of debt onto the football club.”

Wrexham continued their march towards promotion on Saturday, securing a 2-0 victory over Exeter City courtesy of goals from Ollie Rathbone and Jay Rodriguez. The win ensures Parkinson’s squad remains in the automatic promotion places with seven games still to go, maintaining a three-point lead over Wycombe Wanderers, who have a game in hand.