Founders

Ryan Reynolds
Photo: Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY 2.0

Ryan Reynolds

Co-founder of Maximum Effort and co-owner of Wrexham AFCSource [3]Source [17]

Brand marketingAdvertisingFilm and TV productionSports ownershipConsumer brands

Unclaimed profileLast verified Oct 2, 2026

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About

Ryan Reynolds is a Canadian-born actor and producer who has built a second career as a brand owner, marketer and sports-club investor. In business he is best known as the co-founder of Maximum Effort, the production and marketing company he started with producer George Dewey in 2018.Source [1]Source [2]Source [3]Source [4]

Through Maximum Effort's fast-turnaround advertising he took ownership stakes in and ran marketing for consumer brands. He bought into Aviation American Gin in February 2018 and kept an ownership interest when Diageo bought the brand in 2020 for up to $610 million. He bought a stake in Mint Mobile in November 2019 and worked on its marketing and strategy until T-Mobile completed its acquisition of Mint's parent, Ka'ena Corporation, on May 1, 2024, after which he continued in a creative role for Mint.Source [5]Source [6]Source [7]Source [8]Source [9]Source [10]

In 2021 the advertising tech company MNTN acquired Maximum Effort Marketing and named Reynolds its chief creative officer, a title he still holds on MNTN's leadership page. MNTN sold the agency back to an affiliate of its original owner on April 1, 2025, and the agency continues to provide creative services to MNTN, which listed on the New York Stock Exchange in May 2025.Source [3]Source [11]Source [12]Source [13]

With Rob McElhenney he bought Wrexham AFC from the Wrexham Supporters Trust in February 2021. The club won three consecutive promotions to reach the EFL Championship in 2025, and the two co-chairmen have since brought in minority investors including the Allyn family and Apollo Sports Capital while remaining controlling owners. Their stewardship is the subject of the FX docuseries Welcome to Wrexham, which Reynolds executive produces.Source [14]Source [15]Source [16]Source [17]Source [18]Source [19]

He has also taken minority positions in other sports properties, including Liga MX club Club Necaxa in 2024 and, through his vehicle Maximum Effort Investments, a stake in the Alpine Formula 1 team in 2023. He served on the board of Match Group from 2020 to 2022.Source [20]Source [21]Source [22]Source [23]Source [24]

Career

2018 to now
2019 to now
2021 to now
2021 to now
CompanyYearsRoleStatus
MNTN

Became MNTN's chief creative officer when it acquired Maximum Effort Marketing in 2021 and is still listed in that role on MNTN's leadership page.Source [3]Source [11]

  • Became chief creative officer when MNTN acquired Maximum Effort Marketing, a deal announced in June 2021 and completed on August 25, 2021.Source [3]Source [12]
  • Kept the chief creative officer role after MNTN sold Maximum Effort Marketing back to an affiliate of its original owner on April 1, 2025.Source [4]Source [12]
  • Remained in the role through MNTN's May 2025 initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange and is still listed on its leadership page.Source [13]Source [11]

Suggest a correction to MNTN

2021 to nowChief Creative OfficerSource [3]Source [4]Source [11]IPO
Club Necaxa

Bought a minority stake in the Liga MX club with Rob McElhenney in April 2024.Source [20]Source [25]

  • Joined the club's investor group alongside Rob McElhenney in April 2024, a deal reported to have been in the works for months.Source [21]Source [20]
  • Executive produced Necaxa, an FX docuseries about the club with fellow investor Eva Longoria that premiered on FXX in August 2025.Source [26]

Suggest a correction to Club Necaxa

2024Minority ownerSource [20]Source [25]Active
Wrexham AFC

Bought the club with Rob McElhenney from the Wrexham Supporters Trust in February 2021; the two remain its controlling owners after selling minority stakes in 2024 and 2025.Source [14]Source [17]Source [18]

  • Completed the takeover with Rob McElhenney on February 9, 2021, taking full control of the National League club and committing a 2 million pound investment.Source [14]
  • Serves as co-chairman with McElhenney; the club hired Michael Williamson as chief executive in May 2024.Source [27]Source [16]
  • Oversaw three consecutive promotions, sealed on April 26, 2025, that took the club to the Championship for the first time since 1981-82.Source [15]Source [17]
  • Brought in minority investors: the Allyn family through the Red Dragon Ventures joint venture in October 2024 and Apollo Sports Capital in December 2025, with funding for stadium redevelopment.Source [16]Source [17]Source [28]
  • Executive producer of the FX docuseries Welcome to Wrexham, which won the Emmy for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program in 2023 and 2024.Source [19]

Suggest a correction to Wrexham AFC

2021 to nowCo-owner and co-chairmanSource [14]Source [16]Source [17]Source [18]Active
Mint Mobile

Bought an ownership stake in November 2019 and worked on marketing and strategy; T-Mobile completed its acquisition of Mint's parent in May 2024 and said Reynolds would continue in his creative role for Mint.Source [8]Source [9]

  • Bought an ownership stake in November 2019 and became involved in the brand's communications, marketing and strategic decisions.Source [8]
  • Remained the face of Mint's advertising; T-Mobile agreed in March 2023 to buy Mint's parent for up to $1.35 billion in cash and stock.Source [29]Source [10]
  • After the deal closed on May 1, 2024, T-Mobile said he would continue in his creative role on behalf of Mint.Source [9]

Suggest a correction to Mint Mobile

2019 to nowOwner (equity stake)Source [8]Source [9]Source [10]Creative roleSource [9]Acquired
Maximum Effort

Co-founded the production and marketing company with George Dewey in 2018. The marketing arm was sold to MNTN in 2021 and bought back by an affiliate of its original owner in 2025.Source [3]Source [4]Source [12]

  • Co-founded the company with George Dewey in 2018; its productions include the Deadpool films, Free Guy, The Adam Project and Welcome to Wrexham.Source [2]Source [31]
  • Built Maximum Effort Marketing, whose ads for Aviation Gin, Mint Mobile and others led to its acquisition by MNTN in 2021 and its return to the group in 2025.Source [3]Source [4]Source [12]
  • Signed a multi-year partnership with Fubo in August 2022 that included a first-look unscripted deal and the Maximum Effort Channel, which launched on June 20, 2023.Source [2]Source [31]
  • Signed a first-look television deal with Disney's 20th Television in March 2025.Source [32]
  • Led Maximum Effort Investments into the investor group that bought 24% of the Alpine Formula 1 team in June 2023.Source [22]

Suggest a correction to Maximum Effort

2018 to nowCo-founderSource [3]Source [4]Source [2]Source [30]Active
Aviation American Gin

Bought an ownership stake in February 2018 and took on the brand's creative direction; he kept an ownership interest when Diageo agreed to buy the brand in August 2020.Source [5]Source [6]

  • Bought an ownership stake from Davos Brands in February 2018 and took on the brand's creative direction.Source [5]Source [34]
  • Used Maximum Effort Marketing to grow the brand, which Diageo said more than doubled its volume in 2019.Source [6]
  • Kept an ongoing ownership interest when Diageo completed its acquisition of Aviation and Davos Brands on September 30, 2020.Source [6]Source [7]
  • Is still named co-owner on the brand's website, which lists Diageo as the parent company.Source [33]

Suggest a correction to Aviation American Gin

2018 to nowCo-ownerSource [5]Source [6]Source [33]Acquired

Milestones

  1. 2025-12Wrexham AFC sold a minority stake to Apollo Sports Capital, with Reynolds and McElhenney remaining controlling owners.Source [17]Source [28]
  2. 2025-05MNTN, where he is chief creative officer, priced its IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.Source [13]
  3. 2025-04Wrexham AFC sealed a third straight promotion, to the Championship.Source [15]
  4. 2025-04Maximum Effort Marketing returned from MNTN to an affiliate of its original owner.Source [12]Source [4]
  5. 2025-03Maximum Effort signed a first-look television deal with Disney's 20th Television.Source [32]
  6. 2024-05T-Mobile completed its acquisition of Mint Mobile's parent, Ka'ena Corporation.Source [9]Source [10]
  7. 2024-04Bought a minority stake in Liga MX club Club Necaxa with Rob McElhenney.Source [20]Source [21]
  8. 2023-06Maximum Effort Investments joined a group buying 24% of the Alpine F1 team.Source [22]
  9. 2022-08Maximum Effort signed a multi-year partnership with Fubo.Source [2]
  10. 2021-08MNTN completed its acquisition of Maximum Effort Marketing and he became its chief creative officer.Source [12]Source [3]
  11. 2021-02Completed the takeover of Wrexham AFC with Rob McElhenney.Source [14]
  12. 2020-09Diageo completed its purchase of Aviation American Gin; he kept an ownership interest.Source [7]Source [6]
  13. 2020-07Joined the Match Group board of directors.Source [23]
  14. 2019-11Bought an ownership stake in Mint Mobile.Source [8]
  15. 2018-02Bought an ownership stake in Aviation American Gin.Source [5]

Boards, investments and other roles

OrganizationRoleYears
Alpine Racing (Alpine F1 Team)InvestorInvestor (via Maximum Effort Investments, part of a group that bought 24%)Source [22]2023
Match GroupBoardBoard memberSource [23]Source [24]2020 to 2022
Welcome to Wrexham (FX)MediaExecutive producerSource [19]Source [1]2022
Necaxa (FXX docuseries)MediaExecutive producerSource [26]2025

Honors

  • Primetime Emmy, Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program (Welcome to Wrexham, as executive producer) 2024Source [19]
  • Primetime Emmy, Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program (Welcome to Wrexham, as executive producer) 2023Source [19]

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Sources

  1. Ryan Reynolds, Wikipedia. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  2. Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort Productions, FuboTV Enter Into Multi-Year, Multi-Pronged Partnership, Including First-Look Unscripted Deal, Fubo, 2022-08-08. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  3. MNTN acquires Ryan Reynold's Maximum Effort in bid to wed media, creative, Marketing Dive, 2021-06-28. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  4. MNTN, Ryan Reynolds Reach Deal to Recombine Maximum Effort's Digital Marketing, Production Arms, TheWrap (via Yahoo Finance), 2025-03-06. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  5. Ryan Reynolds Aviation Gin, Fortune, 2018-02-21. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  6. Diageo to acquire Aviation Gin and Davos Brands, Diageo, 2020-08-17. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  7. Diageo completes acquisition of Aviation Gin LLC and Davos Brands LLC (Form 6-K), U.S. SEC (EDGAR), 2020-09-30. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  8. Ryan Reynolds Purchases Ownership Stake in Mint Mobile, GlobeNewswire (Mint Mobile), 2019-11-25. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  9. Mint and Ultra: Welcome to the T-Mobile Family!, T-Mobile, 2024-05-01. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  10. T-Mobile US, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, U.S. SEC (EDGAR). Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  11. About, MNTN. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  12. MNTN, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal year 2025, U.S. SEC (EDGAR), 2026-02-18. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  13. MNTN Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering, MNTN, 2025-05-21. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  14. Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds complete Wrexham takeover, Sky Sports, 2021-02-09. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  15. Wrexham promoted to Championship as historic rise continues, ESPN, 2025-04-26. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  16. Wrexham secure minority investment from Allyn family, SportsPro, 2024-10-31. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  17. Wrexham sell minority stake to U.S. equity firm Apollo, ESPN, 2025-12-08. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  18. Who Owns Wrexham? Inside the Club's Ownership Structure, Investors, Sports Illustrated, 2026-08-05. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  19. Welcome To Wrexham, Television Academy. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  20. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney buy into another club! Wrexham duo purchase minority stake in Liga MX side Necaxa, Goal.com, 2024-04-29. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  21. Wrexham owners Reynolds and McElhenney buy into Necaxa, ESPN, 2024-04-29. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  22. Alpine secure EUR200m backing from investors including Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds, Formula 1, 2023-06-26. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  23. Stephen Bailey, Melissa Brenner, Wendi Murdoch & Ryan Reynolds To Join Match Group's Board of Directors, Match Group (PR Newswire), 2020-07-01. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  24. Match Group, Inc. 2022 proxy statement (DEF 14A), U.S. SEC (EDGAR). Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  25. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney buy stake in Mexican club Necaxa, Canadian Soccer Daily, 2024-04-29. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  26. 'Welcome to Wrexham' spinoff 'Necaxa,' which follows a Mexican soccer club, to premiere Aug. 7, PhillyVoice, 2025. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  27. Wrexham appoint new CEO, Football Trade Directory, 2024-05-20. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  28. Wrexham Welcomes Apollo As Minority Owner, Front Office Sports, 2025-12-08. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  29. T-Mobile Acquires Mint Mobile And Ultra Mobile, The Mobile Report, 2023-03-15. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  30. Maximum Effort, Wikipedia. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  31. Maximum Effort Channel, a Partnership Between Fubo and Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort, to Launch June 20, Fubo, 2023-06-15. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  32. Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort strikes first-look pact with Disney's 20th Television, C21Media, 2025-03-28. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  33. Aviation American Gin, Aviation American Gin. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
  34. Diageo Acquires Ryan Reynolds' Aviation Gin, the 2nd Largest Super Premium Gin in the U.S., for $610 Million, Distillery Trail. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.

History

  • Sep 28, 2026: Profile created from public sources (Founded editors)
  • Oct 2, 2026: Enriched with about, highlights, other roles, milestones and awards from public sources (Founded editors)
  • Oct 2, 2026: Enriched with about, highlights, other roles, milestones and awards from public sources (Founded editors)

Compiled by Founded editors from the cited public sources. Editorial policy / Request removal