Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney Eye Welsh Fire Investment, Glamorgan Chief Sees “Huge Opportunity”
Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, known for their transformative ownership of Wrexham Football Club, are exploring a new venture in the world of cricket. The duo is in talks about acquiring a stake in Welsh Fire, a Hundred franchise based in Cardiff. According to Glamorgan chief executive Dan Cherry, this potential investment could provide a significant boost to cricket in Wales.
The negotiations come as part of a larger initiative by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which aims to sell 49% of each of the eight franchises in The Hundred competition. The ECB is hoping these sales will generate approximately ÂŁ500 million.
Glamorgan, which currently holds a 51% stake in Welsh Fire, sees Reynolds and McElhenney’s involvement as a chance to grow the brand internationally, much like their successful rebranding of Wrexham.
Cherry is optimistic about the potential benefits for both Welsh Fire and Glamorgan. “It’s a great opportunity financially for us to invest back into the stadium at Sophia Gardens, into our team, and into the broader cricket community in Wales,” Cherry told BBC Sport Wales.
“It can inspire the next generation of players and help grow the game in Wales, especially given the success we’ve seen with The Hundred and the increased family engagement.”
Reynolds and McElhenney’s possible investment would add to their growing portfolio of sports ventures, which already includes stakes in Mexico’s Necaxa football club and the Alpine Formula 1 team. Cherry emphasized that their involvement could significantly elevate Welsh Fire’s global profile.
The ECB has been actively courting investors for The Hundred, including owners of Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, NFL franchises, and private equity groups. There is speculation that new owners could influence team branding, similar to changes seen in other franchise leagues like South Africa’s SA20.
While the ECB is set to retain a 49% stake in each Hundred franchise, Glamorgan’s Cherry hinted that the club remains open to discussing control over its 51% share. “We’re open-minded about our stake and control. Once we find the right partner, we’ll explore options that work for both parties,” he said.
Cherry pointed to the deal involving Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of a minority stake in Manchester United as an example of creative ownership structures. While Reynolds and McElhenney’s potential involvement is still in the negotiation phase, the prospect is seen as a promising development for cricket in Wales.
As discussions progress, Welsh Fire and Glamorgan hope to strike a deal that will allow them to sustain and expand their operations, ensuring long-term success both on and off the field.
