## Ryan Reynolds Gains an Advantage Over Portsmouth with Call to Wrexham
### Transformative Leadership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have taken Wrexham from a modest football club to a global sensation. This transformation has prompted Portsmouth owner Michael Eisner to acknowledge that he might have benefited from adopting a similar approach to the one employed by the duo.
In 2017, Michael Eisner completed his acquisition of Portsmouth, just about three and a half years before Reynolds and Mac acquired Wrexham. Although Eisner brought a wealth of experience from the entertainment industry, he opted to keep media crews at bay from Portsmouth at the time, choosing instead to let the team’s performance do the talking.
Wrexham’s new Hollywood ownership changed the narrative when Reynolds and McElhenney took over the Welsh club in February 2021. They effectively turned Wrexham into a worldwide phenomenon, largely due to their successful documentary series, *Welcome to Wrexham*, which is ironically available in the UK on Disney+.
### Upcoming Match: Portsmouth vs. Wrexham
As Wrexham prepares to face Portsmouth in a Championship match, following a remarkable three consecutive promotions under manager Phil Parkinson, it is no wonder that Eisner has expressed some regrets about not utilizing Wrexham’s innovative strategies.
In an interview, Eisner revealed, “What I didn’t want to do—which Ryan Reynolds did very well—was film myself or document Portsmouth’s growth. We were essentially the Wrexham story before.” He recognized that while he aimed to be perceived as serious football owners, Reynolds has adeptly combined his celebrity status with a strategic approach to team management.
Interestingly, Portsmouth played a role in Wrexham’s takeover—former Portsmouth CEO Mark Catlin had initially reached out to the Wrexham Supporters Trust to inform them of Reynolds and Mac’s interest back in 2020. Catlin suggested that the same firm that had aided Portsmouth’s transition from supporter ownership could assist Wrexham, initiating the process that led to the acquisition.
### A New Era of Celebrity Ownership
Eisner’s Portsmouth and Wrexham are set to clash for the first time in decades, with Eisner planning to be present at Fratton Park. The 83-year-old, who last visited Portsmouth in April, is expected to discuss transfer strategies with manager John Mousinho amid a streak of three losses that has left Portsmouth in 20th place.
Wrexham, on the other hand, has recently surged to 15th in the Championship table following an impressive win against previously unbeaten Coventry City. The popularity of *Welcome to Wrexham* has also sparked Portsmouth’s consideration of creating their own documentary series to connect with fans and enhance club engagement.
Eisner remarked, “We will be drawing inspiration from them to a certain extent,” recognizing that a thoughtful investment strategy is essential for the club’s growth. As both teams prepare to face off, the influence of celebrity ownership shaping modern football cannot be overlooked.
With documentary crews from Wrexham set to cover the match alongside Sky Sports, Eisner, who once opted against featuring Portsmouth in a series, will watch from the director’s box, perhaps reflecting on the missed opportunities along the way.
In this exciting time for both clubs, fans can expect a thrilling match and a showcase of the evolving landscape of football ownership, where entertainment and sport increasingly intersect.
