Wrexham AFC owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have paid out a large amount in bonuses to their players over the course of the season that saw them return to the English Football League this weekend.
Relive the moment Wrexham returned to the EFL in the video below.
It’s no secret that Wrexham’s celebrity owners aren’t short of a couple of quid.
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They’ve spent a lot of money chasing their dream of league football, and it finally paid off with a 3-1 victory over Borehamwood this weekend, much to the delight of the Welsh club’s fans.
The players must be pretty happy with their work too, as they’ve been guaranteed a share of a £250,000 pot that was to be their reward for promotion back to the Football League after a 15 year absence.
That was confirmed by the club’s chairman Humphrey Ker, who said that awarding the bonus pot was ‘the right thing to do’.
Ker told the Wrexham AFC official website: “Rob and Ryan wanted to recognise the players’ confidence that they can reach this season’s play-offs and provide an added financial incentive to achieve this.
"There was no obligation to address this, but it felt like the right thing to do in order to support the existing playing squad who are all playing for their futures at the club."
Club skipper Shaun Pearson added that the team was 'thankful for the incentive being put to us from Rob and Ryan'.
They want to be, as well.
That’s a lot of cash.
However, it’s not the only bonuses that have been paid out this season, with the total coming in somewhere around – though likely above - the £370,000 mark.
Ker has confirmed in the past that the players get £200 for each win, with £50 paid for a draw as long as Wrexham remained in a playoff position.
At the end of the season, promotion would be rewarded with the big £250,000 pot.
It is believed that this is the most generous bonus system that has been in place since the club was last relegated from the league in 2008.
However, the promotion promises to bring more money into the club, with all League Two clubs getting a central payment of around £1.1 million for TV and sponsorship income, as well as the annual solidarity payment from the Premier League.
On top of that, revenue will increase through streaming, particularly with Wrexham now boasting a worldwide fan base.
They’ll also be able to have some discussions regarding sponsorship, with more eyes likely to be on the club as they compete in the top four divisions of English league football.
This season, Bradford City – the best supported team in League Two for season 2022/23 – are believed to have banked £300,000 through the EFL’s iFollow streaming service.
Next year, you’d imagine Wrexham’s international appeal would see them dwarf that figure.
Still, there’ll be time for all that in the summer.
For now, the players, staff, and owners at Wrexham should be enjoying the moment.
After all, it’s a long season and times like these don’t come along every day.
Topics: UK News, Sport, Football, Ryan Reynolds, Money
Tom Wood