Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s potential investment in Welsh Fire could be a “huge opportunity” for cricket in Wales, according to Glamorgan chief executive Dan Cherry.
Reynolds and McElhenney, the Hollywood stars who have transformed the fortunes of Wrexham Football Club as its co-owners, have held talks about buying a stake in Welsh Fire, The Hundred cricket franchise based in Cardiff.
Those negotiations are part of a wider effort from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to sell 49% stakes in each of the eight Hundred franchises, which the ECB hopes will raise about £500m.
Glamorgan hold a 51% stake in Welsh Fire and, if Reynolds and McElhenney were to turn their interest into firm investment, the county hope they could “grow the brand globally” as they have done with Wrexham.
“I think it’s a great opportunity financially for us to be able to invest back into the stadium here at Sophia Gardens, into the team at Glamorgan… and build the game in Wales recreationally, support the great work that Cricket Wales, our partners, are doing on that front,” Cherry told BBC Sport Wales.
“It gives huge opportunity to the game to expand its footing and to grow it, as we’ve seen with The Hundred, with lots of great crowds, family crowds coming in. I think it can inspire the next generation of players to pick up a bat and ball.
“We want the best deal in the interest of Glamorgan County Cricket Club. We’re very keen on protecting and making sure that we can sustain our club here in Cardiff, and we want to grow Welsh Fire as a brand globally.”
