Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the renowned Hollywood actors and owners of Wrexham FC, have joined forces with a group of investors to acquire a €200 million stake in Alpine Racing.
The investment marks an expansion of their sports portfolio and demonstrates their continued interest in the world of professional athletics.
The investor group, which includes Otro Capital, RedBird Capital, and Maximum Effort Investments, has secured a 24 percent equity stake in Alpine Racing, effectively valuing the racing team at approximately £700 million.
This move signals the group’s confidence in Alpine Racing’s potential for growth and success in the competitive racing industry.
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Reynolds and McElhenney have become known for their investment endeavours in the sports world.
Notably, their television series “Welcome to Wrexham,” which aired on Disney+, drew in a significant number of American fans, showcasing their ability to boost the visibility and popularity of sports teams.
In a similar vein to Netflix’s popular series “Drive to Survive,” the show shed light on the inner workings of Wrexham FC, solidifying the actors’ reputation as influential figures in the sports industry.
Gerry Cardinale, the mastermind behind RedBird Capital, a company with ownership stakes in AC Milan and French football club Toulouse, is a key figure in the investor group.
Cardinale is also an investor in Fenway Sports Group, which owns both the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC.
With his extensive experience in the sports industry, Cardinale brings valuable expertise to the table and further enhances the credibility of the investor group.
Alpine Racing, which achieved a commendable fourth-place finish in the previous year’s championship, has set ambitious goals with their “Mountain Climber” plan.
The plan aims to position the team as strong contenders for championships within 100 races since its inception in 2022.
Laurent Rossi, CEO of Alpine, expressed his enthusiasm about the investment, emphasising the positive impact it will have on the team’s performance.
“This association is an important step to enhance our performance at all levels,” Rossi stated.
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“Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners, and Maximum Effort Investments, as international players with a strong track record in the sports industry, will bring their recognised expertise to boost our media and marketing strategy, essential to support our sporting performance over the long term.”
Rossi further emphasised that the incremental revenue generated from the investment would be reinvested in the team, enabling them to accelerate their “Mountain Climber” plan.
This acceleration would involve upgrading their facilities and equipment, placing them on par with top-tier teams and further solidifying their competitiveness in the racing world.