Wrexham’s Reynolds criticizes broadcast ban
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Wrexham’s Hollywood co-owner Ryan Reynolds has criticized the National League’s ban on clubs broadcasting matches.
Reynolds says the decision to exclude streaming gaming clubs, both domestically and internationally, is “truly baffling”.
He believes the league is denying his clubs the opportunity to increase revenue as well as their respective fan bases.
BT Sport has held the rights to broadcast the National League since 2013, with the current deal running until 2024.
Reynolds took charge of National League promotion hopefuls Wrexham alongside partner Rob McElhenney in 2021.
writing on social networks, Reynolds said: “After months of best efforts, the decision (through the inaction of the Vanarama National League) not to allow domestic/international broadcast of matches from Wrexham and the other clubs in the league is truly baffling, depriving every team in our league of the ability to expand the fan base while increasing league revenue [which] it benefits everyone.
“This is a focus and an opportunity and we ask the National Vanarama League to take it.”
Reynolds also called on league sponsors Vanarama and BT Sport to “help them (the league) find the wisdom” to change the rules.
Vanarama responded to Reynolds on social media, saying they are “in favor of live streaming as long as it benefits all clubs in the league and is what the fans want”.
They said they will “talk to” the league and BT Sport “to make sure our voice is heard”.
BBC Sport has approached the National League and BT Sport for comment.
