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Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and Eva Longoria are the lead investors in a star-studded group buying Colombian side La Equidad in a purchase the mimics some elements of the celebrity ownership success story with English football club Wrexham.

The Hollywood power figures are joined in the purchase approved by Colombia’s league, Dimayor, by co-chairman of Club Necaxa Al Tylis and Sam Porter, an executive with D.C. United in the MLS and Necaxa. MLB pitcher Justin Verlander, his supermodel wife Kate Upton, and former NBA player Shawn Marion are also part of the investment team taking control of the club based in Colombian capital Bogota.

“We are beyond excited about our acquisition of La Equidad! We have a tremendous group of partners, and there are great things ahead for the Club,” Porter said Thursday.

Wrexham is currently third in League One and could be promoted a third time since Reynolds and McElhenney purchased the team in 2021.

La Equidad was 13th in the 20-team standings last season.

“We welcome Al Tylis and Sam Porter, who arrive with a clear, long-term vision to continue strengthening our club,” La Equidad posted on X. “This is the first step towards a future full of opportunities.”

Reynolds and McElhenney purchased a minority stake in Necaxa in April 2024, and Porter and Tylis, a real estate mogul, are now investors in Wrexham.

“Al Tylis and Sam Porter not only have extensive experience in the sports world but they also have the support of recognized figures such as Eva Longoria, Rob McElhenney, Ryan Reynolds, Justin Verlander, Kate Upton, Shawn Marion and Scott Galloway,” La Equidad said in a statement Thursday.

–Field Level Media