Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in a scene from the docuseries 'Welcome to Wrexham', which follows the actors as they purchase non-league Welsh football team Wrexham AFC. Photo: FX
The series begins with the initial late-night conversation between the actors where the idea was formed. Photo: FX
Club striker Dior Angus and Reynolds in a scene from 'Welcome to Wrexham'. Photo: FX
Reynolds and McElhenney at a match between Wrexham and Grimsby Town at the Racecourse Ground, the team's home stadium, in May. Getty Images
Reynolds and McElhenney after a match. The pair say they've fallen head over heels in love with football. Reuters
Reynolds and McElhenney going through the highs, and many lows, of being football fans. Reuters
Reynolds and McElhenney say they initially knew very little about football. Reuters
Reynolds at a football match with friends. Reuters
Reynolds said it was another close friend, David Beckham, who helped him understand 'soccer'. Reuters
Reynolds, Beckham and Will Ferrell at a match. Reuters
Reynolds with wife Blake Lively and Beckham at a match at Wembley Stadium, London, in May. AP
McElhenney and Reynolds prior to the FA Trophy final between Wrexham and Bromley in May. AP
Celebrity Net Worth: Ryan Reynolds doubles fortune after Mint sale
In our fortnightly celebrity investment and wealth round-up, tennis star Naomi Osaka invests in a vegan ramen brand while 'RRR' star Ram Charan is worth $175 million
The Canadian sold his stake in the prepaid budget wireless provider to telecoms operator T-Mobile US as part of a larger cash-and-stock deal.
He had a net worth of $150 million before the deal, according to wealth tracker Celebrity Net Worth.
T-Mobile is buying Mint parent Ka'ena Corporation for up to $1.35 billion to expand its prepaid phone business and acquire more lower-income users. The deal, expected to close later this year, also includes wireless calling service Ultra Mobile and wholesaler Plum.
“I never dreamt I'd own a wireless company and I certainly never dreamt I’d sell it to T-Mobile,” Reynolds said in a tweet. “Life is strange and I'm incredibly proud and grateful.”
He will remain on-board at Mint in a creative role.
Reynolds could receive $70 million in cash after tax and $205 million worth of T-Mobile stock, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
His stake in Mint was about 25 per cent, Fortune magazine reported. He purchased it in 2019 in what he billed as a way to make technology more accessible.
“It’s a bit unconventional, which is why I like it,” the Deadpool star said at the time.
“Mint is making wireless way more affordable at a time when the average American is paying $65 a month. I’m excited to champion a more practical approach to the most essential technology.”
Watch: Ryan Reynolds's Wrexham AFC spoof video
A significant portion of that fortune comes from his roles as a leading actor. He earns a pre-tax minimum of $20 million per project, the website estimates. With his share of box-office revenue factored in, he may have earned up to $40 million for Deadpool 2.
But his role as an investor probably trumps his acting income.
In 2020, beverage company Diageo bought his Aviation American beverage brand for an initial payment of $335 million, The Guardian reported. Depending on how the brand performs over the next 10 years, he could receive an additional $275 million because of how the deal is structured.
In 2018, Reynolds founded Maximum Effort, a film production company and digital marketing agency with George Dewey.
Two years later, he teamed with fellow actor Rob McElhenney to buy Wrexham AFC, the oldest football club in Wales.
While they bought the club with no upfront investment, the terms of the deal required them to invest £2 million ($2.42 million). The team has since risen in the rankings of the National League. Whether it will be the actor's next investment to turn a profit remains to be seen.
Naomi Osaka has invested in vegan ramen brand Immi. Getty
Naomi Osaka
Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka, 25, has put her stamp of approval on vegan ramen, with an investment in low-carb, high-protein brand Immi.
The four-time Grand Slam champion, who announced in January that she was expecting her first child, recently joined a $10 million series A funding round led by Touch Capital.
Other celebrity investors in the brand include singer Usher, speed skater Apolo Ohno, and DJs Kygo and Gryffin, the company said.
The new funds will help Immi to launch new flavours, expand its retail footprint and hire personnel for key leadership roles.
“I'm excited to announce my investment in Immi, which has revolutionised the ramen industry with a low-carb, high-protein, plant-based and delicious alternative to one of my favourite childhood foods,” Osaka said.
Osaka was the highest-paid female athlete in 2022, with earnings of $51.1 million, according to calculations by Forbes magazine. Only $1.1 million of that total came from playing professional tennis.
The majority of her income came from endorsements for brands such as Louis Vuitton and Tag Heuer. In November, she lost a significant sponsorship deal when cryptocurrency exchange FTX, founded by Sam Bankman-Fried, filed for bankruptcy.
Osaka and other celebrities such as Larry David, Giselle Bundchen, Tom Brady, Larry David and Shaquille O’Neal are being sued for promoting FTX.
But Osaka and O’Neal could receive a reprieve in the multibillion-dollar class-action lawsuit.
Last week, Florida federal judge Kevin Moore asked the plaintiffs to show cause why the two celebrities should not be dismissed from the suit, according to the Coin Telegraph website. The FTX customers have until December to do so.
Osaka, 25, is also an entrepreneur and investor. She is the founder of skincare line Kinlo and — together with her agent and business partner Stuart Duguid — she established the production company, Hana Kuma, and the talent agency, Evolve.
Her net worth is estimated at $45 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Ram Charan is one of the highest-paid actors in India. AP
Charan’s primary sources of income are his film work and brand endorsements.
The son of 1990s star Chiranjeevi made his acting debut in the 2007 action film Chirutha, going on to become one of the highest-paid actors in India.
Charan now charges $12.1 million per film, according to the Times of India. In addition to his acting fees, he reportedly also receives a share of any box-office profits from the movies he stars in.
He has been the face of more than 30 brands, including Pepsi, Hero MotoCorp, Tata Docomo and Disney + Hotstar.
In 2016, he launched Konidela Production Company to make films. Its successes include Khaidi No. 150 and Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy.
Outside of entertainment, he reportedly owns the Ram Charan Hyderabad Polo and Riding Club polo team. Charan was also a partner in the southern Indian regional airline, TruJet, which ceased operations in 2022.
His property investments include a bungalow in the affluent Jubilee Hills district of Hyderabad, and a penthouse in Mumbai, according to GQ India.
Supermodel Karlie Kloss has invested in sustainable nappy brand Coterie. Getty Images
No details were announced about the nature of the partnership or the size of the investment. However, the brand said it plans to introduce new parenting and baby products in the future.
Since its launch in 2019, Coterie has sold more than 100 million nappies and raised $23.8 million in funding.
“To now have the opportunity to be a part of the Coterie family, bridging the gap between consumer and investor, makes my commitment to and adoration for this innovative brand even more special,” Kloss said.
Kloss, 30, has a net worth of $40 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Her income stems principally from modelling and endorsements for brands such as Jean Paul Gaultier, L'Oreal Paris, Swarovski and Nike.
Off the runway, Kloss has a number of projects to her name. In 2015, she launched Kode with Klossy, a software training non-profit.
The coding camp aims to promote gender equity in technology through scholarships and free summer camps. Now held in 19 cities across the US, the camp will go international for the first time this year, with a London debut expected this summer.
Kloss has also been an angel investor for several years, with 19 private equity investments to date.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023 More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Ballon d’Or shortlists
Men
Sadio Mane (Senegal/Liverpool), Sergio Aguero (Aregentina/Manchester City), Frenkie de Jong (Netherlans/Barcelona), Hugo Lloris (France/Tottenham), Dusan Tadic (Serbia/Ajax), Kylian Mbappe (France/PSG), Trent Alexander-Arnold (England/Liverpool), Donny van de Beek (Netherlands/Ajax), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon/Arsenal), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Germany/Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Juventus), Alisson (Brazil/Liverpool), Matthijs de Ligt (Netherlands/Juventus), Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid), Georginio Wijnaldum (Netherlands/Liverpool), Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands/Liverpool), Bernardo Silva (Portugal/Manchester City), Son Heung-min (South Korea/Tottenham), Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich), Roberto Firmino (Brazil/Liverpool), Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria/Manchester City), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/Manchester City), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal/Napoli), Antoine Griezmann (France/Barcelona), Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool), Eden Hazard (BEL/Real Madrid), Marquinhos (Brazil/Paris-SG), Raheem Sterling (Eengland/Manchester City), Joao Félix(Portugal/Atletico Madrid)
Women
Sam Kerr (Austria/Chelsea), Ellen White (England/Manchester City), Nilla Fischer (Sweden/Linkopings), Amandine Henry (France/Lyon), Lucy Bronze(England/Lyon), Alex Morgan (USA/Orlando Pride), Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands/Arsenal), Dzsenifer Marozsan (Germany/Lyon), Pernille Harder (Denmark/Wolfsburg), Sarah Bouhaddi (France/Lyon), Megan Rapinoe (USA/Reign FC), Lieke Martens (Netherlands/Barcelona), Sari van Veenendal (Netherlands/Atletico Madrid), Wendie Renard (France/Lyon), Rose Lavelle(USA/Washington Spirit), Marta (Brazil/Orlando Pride), Ada Hegerberg (Norway/Lyon), Kosovare Asllani (Sweden/CD Tacon), Sofia Jakobsson (Sweden/CD Tacon), Tobin Heath (USA/Portland Thorns)
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic
John Zubrzycki, Hurst Publishers
Scoreline:
Barcelona 2
Suarez 85', Messi 86'
Atletico Madrid 0
Red card: Diego Costa 28' (Atletico)
Sole survivors
Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
The biog
From: Ras Al Khaimah
Age: 50
Profession: Electronic engineer, worked with Etisalat for the past 20 years
Hobbies: 'Anything that involves exploration, hunting, fishing, mountaineering, the sea, hiking, scuba diving, and adventure sports'
Favourite quote: 'Life is so simple, enjoy it'
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
England's lowest Test innings
- 45 v Australia in Sydney, January 28, 1887
- 46 v West Indies in Port of Spain, March 25, 1994
- 51 v West Indies in Kingston, February 4, 2009
- 52 v Australia at The Oval, August 14, 1948
- 53 v Australia at Lord's, July 16, 1888
- 58 v New Zealand in Auckland, March 22, 2018
The biog
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.
It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.
They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.
MATCH INFO
CAF Champions League semi-finals first-leg fixtures
Tuesday:
Primeiro Agosto (ANG) v Esperance (TUN) (8pm UAE)
Al Ahly (EGY) v Entente Setif (ALG) (11PM)
Second legs:
October 23
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Zimbabwe: Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura
Tuan Phan of SimplyFI.org lists five signs you have been mis-sold to:
1. Your pension fund has been placed inside an offshore insurance wrapper with a hefty upfront commission.
2. The money has been transferred into a structured note. These products have high upfront, recurring commission and should never be in a pension account.
3. You have also been sold investment funds with an upfront initial charge of around 5 per cent. ETFs, for example, have no upfront charges.
4. The adviser charges a 1 per cent charge for managing your assets. They are being paid for doing nothing. They have already claimed massive amounts in hidden upfront commission.
5. Total annual management cost for your pension account is 2 per cent or more, including platform, underlying fund and advice charges.
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
