Allyn Family Partners with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny, Becomes Minority Owner in Wrexham AFC

Central New York and Wrexham, Wales are celebrating a new connection as the Allyn family becomes a minority investor in the Wrexham Association Football Club (AFC). The Allyn family operates the Allyn Family Foundation in Central New York and has led community-driven projects like the Salt City Market and the Chimes Building redevelopment. The Allyn Family Foundation is an important partner to CenterState CEO and Allyn Family Foundation Executive Director Meg O’Connell serves as the Secretary on CenterState CEO’s board.  

Wrexham and Central New York share a common story of rapid growth following years of economic decline. It was a message highlighted in November 2023 when Chief Executive at Wrexham Council Ian Bancroft gave the keynote address at CenterState CEO’s annual Economic Champions Celebration. In his remarks, Bancroft talked about the similarities between the Welsh city and Syracuse, both in their histories and navigating growth in the face of a massive outside investment. While Bancroft was in Syracuse, CenterState CEO facilitated several roundtable meetings where Bancroft met with local leaders to discuss possible points of future collaboration. 

This investment in the club was made through Red Dragon Ventures LLC, a joint venture between the Allyn family and Wrexham AFC co-owners Rob McElhenny and Ryan Reynolds focused on driving growth and success in and around Wrexham.  

“Wrexham has earned the world’s attention and we are focused on bringing on board world-class partners to help with the next phase of our growth,” Wrexham AFC co-owners Rob McElhenny and Ryan Reynolds said in a joint statement. “We have been fortunate to get to know the Allyn family and we are blown away by their intelligence, kindness and commitment. They are exactly the type of partners we will need for this amazing endeavor.” 

“For more than a century, our family has focused on building great companies, while also uplifting wonderful communities.  Our decades-long efforts in the Syracuse region are similar to what Rob and Ryan have started in Wrexham,” Manager and Chief Investment Officer of the Allyn’s Family Office Eric Allyn said. “We view Red Dragon Ventures as a vehicle to invest in a world-class football club, and, importantly, in the welcoming community of Wrexham.”

Red Dragon Ventures also acquired Wrexham Lager, with McElhenny and Reynolds now serving as company co-owners alongside the Roberts family. This will allow Wrexham Lager to considerably scale up its infrastructure and international production, distribution, and marketing efforts. 

CenterState CEO is excited to see the impact its partners in the Allyn family will have on Wrexham and this new and continued connection between the Central New York and Wrexham communities.  

Read more about the partnership:

Wrexham AFC

Wrexham Lager

AP News

New York Times

BBC

Wales Online

Business Wire