Ryan Reynolds Preparing $1B Bid For Senators

Ryan Reynolds has thrown himself head-first into the world of sports ownership in recent years. Most notably, he purchased Wrexham AFC in the fifth tier of English soccer in 2020. Wrexham recently earned promotion to the fourth tier of English soccer after 15 years stuck in the fifth. Reynolds has also explored numerous non-acting opportunities in recent years, including gin and telecommunications. Aside from his acting chops, he is gaining a reputation as a savvy businessman.

Now Reynolds is Canadian and proud of it. Born in Vancouver, the 46-year-old spent time in the Ottawa neighborhood of Vanier as a child. He grew up as a fan of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators and in 2022, told Jimmy Fallon he would be interested in purchasing the team. Now that the dream appears to becoming more of a reality.

Reynolds Leading $1 Billion Ownership Group

The Ottawa Senators have been for sales for several months now. This follows the death of Eugene Melnyk, who had owned the team since 2003. According to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, there are several groups in the running for ownership. One group is led by healthcare billionaire Michael Andlauer. Another is financed by the Kimel Family, a prominent real estate magnate in Canada. However, there is also a different Hollywood contingent. Neko Sparks is leading the group that includes Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and several high profile Senators alum. Sparks is a long-time film producer and a well-respected name around Hollywood. He’s hoping to prevail despite the buzz around Reynolds’ reported interest in buying the team.

Then there’s Reynolds’ bid. Reported to be in the region of $1 billion, Reynolds leads a team backed by the Remington Group. This includes real estate mogul Chris Batty. Reynolds and Batty are reportedly ready to be “aggressive” with their bid ahead of the reported May 15 deadline for offers. Reynolds’ $1.35B sale of his mobile network, Mint Mobile, earlier this year was seen as revenue generation for a Senators ownership bid. Bettman and the NHL are eager to get the new ownership installed before the 2023/24 season and would be looking to name new ownership by the summer.

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Hollywood In Attendance As Wrexham Gets “Ted Lasso” Moment

Wrexham Football Club is a soccer team in the fifth tier of English soccer. They’ve been there since 2008, when they were relegated from League Two, the fourth tier of English soccer and its lowest professional tier. Over the last 14 seasons, their best finish was 2nd in 2012. However, you best know Wrexham because Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought the club in 2020. They turned the small club on the England-Wales border into an international sensation

In a lot of ways, Wrexham is very similar to AFC Richmond, the fictional club at the heart of Apple TV’s Ted Lasso. Both were struggling clubs that find a new lease on life after the intervention of a pragmatic American. Last season, Wrexham again finished second but lost in the promotion play-offs in a heartbreaking 5-4 game against Grimsby. Ahead of this season, Wrexham brought in a wave of new signings, including former Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster.

Wrexham Finally Secure Promotion

On April 22, 2008, a 2-0 defeat to Hereford officially relegated Wrexham from the Football League. 15 years later to the day, the atmosphere couldn’t have been more different. Amongst the near-capacity crowd, Reynolds, McElhenney sat alongside Ant-Man star Paul Rudd. The trio watched Wrexham take to their home pitch for the final time this season to take on play-off hopefuls Boreham Wood. Earlier in the season, the two sides had played out a 1-1 draw

At the end of Ted Lasso‘s first season, we watch Richmond relegated in heart-breaking fashion. The show’s second season ends with them jubilantly promoted. It’s a fitting analogy for Wrexham in 2008 and 2023. Hollywood was there to witness a dominant 3-1 performance by the home side as Wrexham took the win and were officially crowned National League champions. However, that came after a heart-stopping moment as Boreham Wood slotted home a goal in the first minute of the game. As the crowd cheered, Reynolds embraced keeper Ben Foster. “Never in doubt!” Reynolds can barely be heard saying over the blaring music and roar of the crowd. Wrexham and their Hollywood owners believed, and now they are ready to make the Football League take note.

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Hugh Jackman Details Intense Training For “Deadpool 3” Appearance

Hugh Jackman says that he’s going to spend six months training to appear in Deadpool 3 as Wolverine. Jackman spoke about the upcoming film during a recent appearance on Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?

“I’ve learned you can’t rush it. I’ve learned that it takes time,” he said about getting into shape for the role. “So we have six months from when I finish [The Music Man] to when I started filming. And I’m not doing any other work. I’m going to be with my family and train. That’s going to be my job for six months.”

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 27: Australian actor Hugh Jackman poses during a photo call to promote his new film Real Steel at the Intercontinental Hotel on September 27, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

He continued: “And I’m really fit right now. There’s one thing that about eight shows a week being on Broadway singing and dancing is I’m fit. So I’m healthy. I have a good place to start. And apologies chickens. Run a mile. Start running now because I’m coming for you.”

Jackman’s appearance in Deadpool 3 will mark his 10th time playing Wolverine. He debuted as the character in Bryan Singer’s 2000 film, X-Men. Most recently, he appeared in 2017’s Logan.

Ryan Reynolds first confirmed Jackman’s upcoming appearance in Deadpool 3, earlier this year. In a video posted on social media in September, Reynolds introduced the idea.

“Hey, Hugh, you want to play Wolverine one more time?” Reynolds asked during the clip.

“Yeah, sure, Ryan,” Hugh replied.

In addition to Jackman joining the film, it will also be the first time Reynolds’ Deadpool will be integrated with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Be on the lookout for Deadpool 3 when it hits theaters on November 8, 2024.

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