Following the interest shown by several Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners in The Hundred, Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds is reportedly keen on making a move of his own. The Welsh Fire, a Cardiff-based team in The Hundred, has attracted the attention of Reynolds and his business partner Rob McElhenny, both of whom have already gained prominence as co-owners of Wrexham AFC.
The duo’s success with Wrexham, which has seen the football club achieve back-to-back promotions, has seemingly sparked their interest in expanding their sports investments into cricket. Talks between the two Hollywood actors and Glamorgan, the cricket club affiliated with Welsh Fire, are already underway.
Growing investment interest in The Hundred
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recently initiated a process to attract private investment in The Hundred, sparking interest from various parties. Leading this initiative, the ECB has already noted “phenomenal” interest from investors, with IPL owners being particularly keen on purchasing stakes in teams.
Although several IPL franchises are expected to bid, the ECB is cautious about allowing a model similar to South Africa’s SA20, where all teams are owned by IPL investors. Reynolds and McElhenny’s interest in Welsh Fire adds an exciting dimension to this investment race, providing competition to major private equity firms like CVC and RedBird Capital, which are also involved in the bidding process.
Welsh Fire: Prime Investment Opportunity
Welsh Fire, currently valued at approximately £30 million, is seen as one of the more affordable franchises in The Hundred, making it an appealing investment. Despite its lower valuation, the team benefits from central broadcast revenue and a salary cap, ensuring costs remain competitive with other teams.
Dan Cherry, Glamorgan’s chief executive, expressed enthusiasm to ESPNcricinfo about Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny’s potential investment, calling it an “exciting proposition.” However, Cherry remains cautious, emphasising that Glamorgan will carefully evaluate any offers to ensure they align with the club’s goals.
Maintaining Welsh Heritage
Glamorgan remains committed to retaining its 51% stake in Welsh Fire and is focused on maintaining the team’s Welsh identity. Cherry emphasised that any future partnership must respect Welsh cricket’s heritage and history, ensuring that Glamorgan retains control of its team while benefiting from the commercial and sporting expertise of new investors.
He added, “We are proud of being the only Welsh first-class county and want to ensure that our Welsh heritage remains at the core of our identity.”
Broader Picture: IPL owners and cricket investment
Ryan Reynolds’ interest comes on the heels of growing involvement from IPL franchise owners in The Hundred. These IPL owners, who have seen immense success in T20 cricket, are looking to diversify their portfolios by investing in the innovative 100-ball format.
Reynolds’ entry into cricket, a sport he has no prior connection with, could mirror the success he and McElhenny have had in football. With Glamorgan keen on finding the right partner and IPL franchises showing growing interest, the future of Welsh Fire and The Hundred is shaping up to be an intriguing and competitive market.
Whether it’s Reynolds or an IPL giant, one thing is clear: the battle for cricket investment in The Hundred is heating up.
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