A high-profile investment group featuring Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, and Eva Longoria is looking to replicate the global success of Wrexham AFC in the heart of South America. After acquiring the Colombian soccer club formerly known as La Equidad in January 2025, the new ownership group has rebranded the team as Inter Bogota and is already seeing dramatic results on and off the pitch.
A Radical Transformation
The group, which also includes MLB star Justin Verlander, model Kate Upton, former NBA pro Shawn Marion, and sports investors Sam Porter and Al Tylis, reportedly purchased the club for approximately $30 million. Under the previous ownership of an insurance company, the club operated as a “mom-and-pop” entity.
The new ownership has implemented a top-to-bottom restructuring, including:
- Professional Management: The hiring of a new CEO, head coach, sporting director, and a dedicated analytics team.
- Pipeline Integration: Establishing scouting and recruitment synergies with Club Necaxa (Mexico) to bolster talent development for both clubs.
- Fan Experience Overhaul: Revamping the ticketing app, introducing halftime entertainment, and significantly upgrading food and beverage offerings at the city-owned Estadio Metropolitano de Techo.
Surging Attendance and Performance
The impact has been immediate. After finishing last in the 20-team Liga Dimayor last year, the rebranded Inter Bogota is currently fighting for the top spot in the league.
The fan engagement numbers are equally impressive:
- Average Attendance: Grown from ~1,000 to between 4,500 and 5,000 per game.
- Season Tickets: Sales have surged from a club-record 350 last year to 1,700 this season.
“The Wrexham story is an inspiration,” said Inter Bogota President Nicolas Maya. “We are adopting their best practices but adapting them for a different context.”
The ‘Wrexham Blueprint’
The move underscores the growing trend of celebrity investors transforming small-market sports clubs into global brands. With Wrexham’s valuation climbing from $2.5 million in 2021 to a reported $475 million by 2025, the Inter Bogota ownership is clearly aiming for a similar return on investment, backed by professional operational expertise rather than just celebrity star power.
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