Wrexham attracting attention ’similar to a Premier League club’ thanks to ‘genuine global star’ Ryan Reynolds as rival co-owner lifts the lid on Red Dragons’ commercial success

Wrexham’s rapid rise from the National League to League One has been well-documented and much of their success can be put down to the Hollywood power of Reynolds. The sponsorships he attracts, the television coverage the Red Dragons have and the players the Welsh side can sign all contribute to marketing success similar to a Premier League club. That is according to Charlton co-owner Charlie Methven, who has opened up on life in the same division as Wrexham.

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  WHAT METHVEN SAID

  Speaking on the Where’s Money Gone podcast, Methven said: “At Premier League level, a very significant proportion of a club’s revenues will come from the centralised TV deal. What’s happening in the undergrowth is that certain clubs in the EFL are starting to change those traditional ratios by making themselves relevant to a much broader audience. [These clubs] are attracting revenues massively disproportionate to their rivals. The most prominent examples of this both currently sit in League One in the shape of Birmingham City and Wrexham.

  “Wrexham started to build through the association with Ryan Reynolds, who’s a genuine global star, and Welcome to Wrexham appearing on a major streaming platform in Disney+. They’re now attracting a level of eyeballs more similar to a Premier League club.”

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Reynolds’ ultimate aim for Wrexham is to get them promoted to the Premier League. If they are competing with clubs in the top flight now, the potential they have by getting promoted two more times could make them one of the most-watched clubs in the world, particularly with how accessible Premier League football is across the globe.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

  Season four of ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ is well underway and viewers can be excited with what has happened in the club’s season so far. The club sit third, just two points off the automatic promotion places. Next up for Phil Parkinson and his players is a trip to Stockport, a team they came up from League Two with last season.