Wrexham AFC Is Coming To America — Is America Ready For Wrexham AFC?
Friday, February 3, 2023 at 11:52PM By Barry Janoff
February 3, 2023: Wrexham AFC — the Wales-based club co-majority owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny and introduced to a national audience in the U.S. via the FX documentary series Welcome to Wrexham, said it plans to participate in the inaugural The Soccer Tournament, a winner-take-all million-dollar competition.
The TST 32-club 7x7 soccer event is scheduled for WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, NC, June 1-4, 2023.
This would be the Wrexham AFC’s first trip to the U.S.
“We look forward to debuting in the U.S. with a legends team and the ambition of winning the tournament,” Shaun Harvey, advisor to the Board at Wrexham AFC, said via the club.
“Wrexham AFC is more than just a first team. It represents the people of North Wales, and this tournament will allow us to incorporate former players of the club like we have never been able to do before.”
According to Harvey, a victory would mean more than fame and a trophy. “Should we be successful, $500,000 of the prize money will be used to enhance the club’s work in the local community.”
Wrexham said its TST team would feature “club legends, including personalities seen in Welcome to Wrexham.”
The Wrexham Red Dragons are the eighth group (to date) named by TST that are committed to the 32-team field.
The others include Team Dempsey, organized by former U.S. Men’s National Team star Clint Dempsey; British football and eSports club Hashtag United; Liga MX’s Club Necaxa; ALA FFF, led by former U.S. Men’s National Team player AJ DeLaGarza.; Conrad & Beasley, lead by former USMNT players Jimmy Conrad and DaMarcus Beasley; Nati SC, an alumni team of original FC Cincinnati players; and U.S. Women, a group of former U.S. Women’s National Team players organized by Heather O’Reilly.
Wrexham paid a $10,000 entry fee, according to the TST Web site,
TST 2023 entry fees are $10,000 each for the first ten teams, $15,000 each for teams 11-20 and $20,000 each for teams 21-31.
The 32nd slot will be auctioned off to highest bidder, according to TST.
TST was introduced in October by TBT Enterprises, the group that founded The Basketball Tournament in 2014.
Wrexham AFC matches have been airing on ESPN 2 and ESPN+, as have The Basketball Tournament.
Wrexham is currently in first place in the National League, the fifth tier in the English Football League, with potential promotion into EFL League Two a possibility.
Formed in 1864, Wrexham is the oldest club in Welsh football history, and the third oldest football club in the world. Over its 159 year history, Wrexham has won 23 Welsh Cups, the most of any team in Wales.
Reynolds and McElhenny acquired majority interest in Wrexham in 2020 “in the hopes of turning the club into an underdog story the whole world could root for.”
TikTok is the club’s jersey front sponsor. Partners also include Aviation American Gin (owned by Reynolds), Expedia, New Balance, VistaPrint and Wrexham Lager.
“Wrexham AFC is an incredible story showcasing the experience that can unfold when fans, players and owners are equally committed to the Club and the community,” TST founder and CEO Jon Mugar said via the group.
“We are proud to welcome the entire Wrexham AFC family to the U.S. and TST to watch the club compete in our electrifying format.”
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