Alan Shearer, the Newcastle United legend, has recently shared his thoughts on whether Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney can fulfill their dream of seeing Wrexham play in the Premier League. Despite the Welsh side's impressive performance in recent seasons, Shearer expressed doubts about their future success due to potential financial regulations.
Actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have high hopes for Wrexham after leading them to back-to-back promotions over the last two seasons. Currently sitting third in League One table, they are vying with Birmingham City, Wycombe Wanderers, and Huddersfield Town for one of two automatic promotion spots to reach the Championship.
The club's achievements have been significantly amplified by a variety of factors. One of these is the popularity of the "Welcome to Wrexham" documentary, which has garnered widespread attention and increased the club's visibility on a global scale. Additionally, securing sponsorship from big names like TikTok and United Airlines has not only provided financial support but also added prestige to the club. Lastly, new minority investors have joined in supporting Wrexham's ambitions. Notably, the Allyn family from New York, who amassed their wealth through medical manufacturing, recently came on board as minority investors. These elements combined have played a crucial role in propelling Wrexham towards their lofty goals. However, despite these positive developments, Shearer remains skeptical about whether these efforts will be enough for them to reach Premier League status.
Financial regulations can be a potential barrier
Shearer voiced his concerns during an episode of "The Rest is Football" podcast alongside co-hosts Gary Lineker and Micah Richards. He suggested that financial regulations could pose a significant obstacle to Wrexham’s ongoing success.
Alan Shearer, Newcastle United legend, said:
"I think the answer to that is, we're not quite sure, that's because of how far they'll be able to go in terms of finance, spending and all of that, because of the PSR (Profitability and Sustainability) rules."
Lineker echoed this sentiment but also praised how far the club has come under its new ownership. Meanwhile ex-Man City star Richards raised a question about whether large sponsorship deals could potentially help them bypass these financial restrictions. However, Shearer was quick to cast doubt on this possibility given how closely such arrangements are scrutinized today.
While there is no denying that Reynolds' and McElhenney's ownership has brought a new level of excitement and ambition to Wrexham, the road to Premier League football is fraught with challenges. Financial regulations are just one aspect that could hinder their progress. However, with continued support from high-profile sponsors and the backing of passionate fans, it's clear that Wrexham has the potential to continue its upward trajectory. As Shearer and his co-hosts have highlighted, only time will tell if these Hollywood owners can turn their Premier League dreams into reality.
