Ryan Reynolds trolled for buying second soccer club amid Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni lawsuits drama
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ryan Reynolds, the Hollywood A-lister known for revitalizing Wrexham AFC, is expanding his soccer empire.
Alongside fellow celebrities Eva Longoria, Justin Verlander, Kate Upton, and Shawn Marion, Reynolds has joined a group of investors to purchase a stake in La Equidad, a Colombian soccer club playing in the top-tier Categoria Primera A league, ESPN reported.
Ryan Reynolds invests in Colombian Soccer club
Founded in 1982, La Equidad has yet to clinch a league championship, though it came close as runners-up in 2007, 2010, and 2011. The investment group, led by real estate mogul Al Tylis and soccer executive Sam Porter, promises a "new era" for the club, as highlighted in the team’s enthusiastic social media announcement, as reported by People.
La Equidad announced via social media, "We welcome Al Tylis and Sam Porter, who arrive with a clear, long-term vision to continue strengthening our club," La Equidad said in a statement on social media. This is the first step towards a future full of opportunities."
The team shared in their statement, "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,” assuring fans that “great things are coming.”
The collaboration builds on Reynolds’ success with Wrexham, which he co-owns with Rob McElhenney of 'It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia'. Their efforts have seen the Welsh club rise through the English football tiers, with ambitions of reaching the Premier League since purchasing the team in November 2020.
Following their acquisition by celebrity owners and the release of an FX documentary series spotlighting the team, Wrexham has achieved consecutive promotions. They’ve climbed from England’s fifth-tier soccer league to the third tier, with aspirations of eventually reaching the prestigious Premier League.
Close friends Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are often spotted attending matches together or sharing their thoughts on social media during games. The duo also joined forces with Tylis last April by investing in his Necaxa team.
While Ryan Reynolds celebrates a major milestone in his soccer ventures, he now finds himself entangled in a significant legal challenge. Reynolds, alongside his wife, actress Blake Lively, is facing a $400 million lawsuit filed by 'It Ends With Us' director Justin Baldoni, who alleges defamation and damages stemming from Lively’s accusations of sexual harassment and claims of a smear campaign on set.
The 179-page lawsuit, filed on January 16, outlines Baldoni’s grievances, which include disputes over creative control of the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. Central to the conflict is a pivotal rooftop scene where Lively’s character, Lily Bloom, meets Baldoni’s Ryle Kincaid.
Baldoni alleges that Lively proposed significant script rewrites that dramatically altered the tone and narrative of the scene, which had already been approved during pre-production.
Baldoni claims he was initially "reluctant" to accept Lively’s changes but agreed to review her suggestions.
Ryan Reynolds' soccer club investment amid $400M lawsuit sparks reactions online
Ryan Reynolds' recent purchase of a soccer club and the subsequent $400M lawsuit have set social media abuzz, with fans and critics alike sharing their thoughts on the high-profile move.
One user speculated, "Gonna be Justin’s team soon," while another added, "Khaleesi and her dragons." However, some voiced concerns over his financial decisions, with one saying, "Liquidating assets - not a good sign."
Others expressed frustration with Reynolds' wealth, with one user commenting, "He has too much money!" and another predicting, "Looks like those soccer clubs will have a new owner in six months."
The lawsuit also stirred controversy, with a user remarking, "He’s allowed. This Justin person seems like a professional victim."
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