Wrexham are set to compete in the Championship next season, but a bidder hoping to buy their rivals Sheffield Wednesday feels the Owls are in a stronger position
Wrexham have been informed that Ryan Reynolds would “give his left leg” for the kind of potential Sheffield Wednesday has, despite their ongoing challenges.
The Welsh club are poised to play in the Championship after a 43-year hiatus next season, where the Owls will be one of their competitors. The Red Dragons, jointly owned by Reynolds and fellow actor Rob McElhenney, are well-prepared for the forthcoming season.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has begun to improve his squad by recruiting Plymouth striker Ryan Hardie earlier this week for an undisclosed fee. In stark contrast, Wednesday find themselves engulfed in chaos, hit with a ban from spending in the transfer market for the next three windows due to failing to pay their players.
The Owls have had a tumultuous decade under the ownership of Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri, which led to a six-point deduction from the EFL in 2020 as a penalty for financial mismanagement. Wrexham are said to be considering capitalising on the situation by trying to sign Wednesday skipper Barry Bannan, whose contract at Hillsborough expires at the end of June.
However, even amidst the strife the club is encountering, the co-leader of a North American consortium looking to acquire the faltering Championship side believes there is plenty of potential to work with. Florida-based businessman Adam Shaw said that Reynolds would covet Wednesday’s history and support base.
Shaw, who is originally from Sheffield, shared his vision for the Owls while speaking to The Athletic, emphasising the untapped potential for the club in the US market.
“Sheffield Wednesday are nowhere in America. We sell zero shirts and have no commercial presence there – that’s got to change,” he said. “With the World Cup in the US next year and with the individuals we have in our ownership group, we could easily become Florida’s English football team.
“We should and can be way bigger than Wrexham. Ryan Reynolds would give his left leg to have what we already have at Wednesday in terms of our history and fanbase. Let’s use that.”
In addition to property investor John Flanagan, Shaw is part of a consortium which has chosen to keep the identity of several members confidential. However, he revealed that their number includes Major League Baseball players, a former Premier League footballer and a high-profile celebrity.
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Shaw believes his consortium could replicate the influence seen at Wrexham following the arrival of Reynolds and McElhenney. Following their takeover in February 2021, the Hollywood duo provided an immediate injection of £2million into the club.
Wrexham were previously in the National League, but have since achieved three consecutive promotions and will now compete in the second tier next season. Reynolds and McElhenney have already offloaded a minority stake in the club to the Allyn family from New York, while the owners of Mexican side Club Necaxa also possess a small share in Wrexham.
Earlier this month, reports surfaced that they are now seeking additional investment in a move which would value the club at £350m. In the meantime, the consortium aiming to purchase Wednesday have already had two offers turned down by Chansiri.
Shaw said that the group would promptly upgrade Wednesday’s academy and training ground if their takeover plans prove successful, as well as refurbish Hillsborough stadium.
“We are Sheffield Wednesday, we are a big enough club to create the best academy and training facilities in the UK if we put our minds to it,” he said.
“Let’s get Hillsborough fully open and give fans something decent to eat and drink, with service with a smile. We’d also really like to see if we can wrap three of the sides, to create a more modern, bowl effect but we would leave the South Stand alone, as we want a mix of old and new.”