
Wrexham's Ryan Reynolds secures Hugh Jackman partnership and investment into project
Wrexham's Ryan Reynolds secures Hugh Jackman partnership and investment into project
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman have been friends for years after working together on the movie X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and have no teamed up in the world of sport
Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds have embarked on a new sporting venture together
(Image: UEFA via Getty Images )
Deadpool and Wolverine co-stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman have joined forces in a new sporting venture.
The Hollywood duo enjoyed box office success with last summer's Marvel blockbuster, which grossed approximately £958million worldwide. The two actors are now the proud owners of an Australian sailing team named the BONDS Flying Roos.
The recently rebranded team competes in the SailGP international sailing competition, which has already drawn several high-profile investors, including Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and American actress Anne Hathaway.
Launched in 2019 by three-time Olympic gold medallist Russell Coutts and American billionaire Larry Ellison, the contest has rapidly gained prominence in the sailing world. Reynolds and Jackman, who first met on the set of the 2009 film X-Men Origins: Wolverine, have been friends for many years.
Reynolds is no stranger to sports team ownership, most notably co-owning Welsh football club Wrexham with Rob McElhenney. The pair also hold stakes in Mexico's Club Necaxa, Colombia's La Equidad, and the Formula 1 team Alpine.
However, this marks Jackman's first foray into the world of sports ownership, joining the likes of German F1 legend Sebastian Vettel and former world boxing champion Deontay Wilder in investing in SailGP teams.
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Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman have invested in the BONDS Flying Roos Sail GP team
(Image: SailGP )
In a joint statement, Reynolds and Jackman said: "We're incredibly excited to set sail together in this new adventure. Hugh brings a deep love for and pride in his home country as well as being an avid fan of sailing. He will also be bringing his overly clingy emotional support human along for the ride. Apologies in advance to Australia."
The SailGP series features state-of-the-art F50 foiling catamarans and sees nations competing with top sailors at the helm of the swift vessels, vying for a substantial prize fund of £9.6 million.
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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'.
But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in...
Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.
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Australia's team has claimed the SailGP champions title three times and boasts Olympic gold medallist and CEO Tom Slingsby at its helm.
Slingsby said: "This is an incredible milestone for us and for our sport, having global icons Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds come on board as co-owners of our team. They bring unmatched star power, a love for storytelling, and a sharp sense of humour that fits perfectly with our team."
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Under the new ownership and name, the BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team is set to compete at the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix this weekend. Representing the new title sponsor BONDS underwear, the Australian crew is keen to maintain its leading position.
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