Ryan Reynolds has encouraged fans of K-pop group Stray Kids to lobby the Vanarama National League to allow soccer clubs to broadcast live games.
The actor, who bought Wrexham AFC with Philadelphia is always sunny Star Rob McElhenney in 2021 and has since gone on to produce an FX documentary series about it with his co-owner which airs on Disney+, hopes the Stray Kids fan base can help.
Reynolds lobbied the National Vanarama League, aka The National League – an association football league which is the highest semi-professional in the English football league system – to allow live broadcasts of domestic and international matches.
He argued that the move would be “revenue benefits” for the league and a chance to attract more fans at this sporting level.
But, after his demands fell on deaf ears, K-pop fans might just come to the rescue.
No, the overwhelming force of @Stray_Kids would be too much… or would it be? 🤔
—Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) August 29, 2022
Responding to recent comments he made on social media about his frustrations over the matter, one fan referenced Reynolds’ friendship with Stray Kids singer, rapper and dancer Bang Chan.
The actor has had several exchanges with members of the group in recent years, including an interview to promote his film free guywhich saw him meet Bang Chan in person – an experience he later called “an honor and a privilege”.
A Stray Kids fan wrote, quoting Reynolds’ final comments: “I enjoy this docu-series. [Welcome To Wrexham] and it looks like Bangchan’s BFF needs a little help, RT.
Reynolds wrote to his 20 million Twitter followers on Monday (August 29): “After months of best efforts, the decision (through @inaction) not to allow domestic/international broadcast of Wrexham matches and other clubs in the league is really confusing.
“Depriving every team in our league of the opportunity to grow the fanbase while increasing league revenue benefits everyone. This is a spotlight and a chance and we ask @TheVanaramaNL to seize it .
He later responded to the fan’s tweet, writing, “No, the overwhelming strength of @Stray_Kids would be too much… or not?”
Wrexham, a Welsh side who play in the English league, also released a club statement on the matter. “On August 23, 2022, the club applied to the National League Board for approval of an approach by BT, in order to obtain Wrexham’s consent to broadcast the now sold-out game against Gateshead.
“Incredibly, the request has not even been considered by the National League Board of Directors, regardless of the decision made.
“The club feels disappointed and can only assure fans new and old that we have done everything we can to provide the opportunity to watch the match live, both in the UK and abroad. We will keep pushing, to make sure all clubs can stream games, not just Wrexham AFC.”
Meanwhile, earlier this month, Stray Kids dropped a surprise music video for their new single “Time Out.”
The new summer visual capped off their “2022 STAYweeK” fan event, which saw them release several behind-the-scenes clips. The annual event marks the birthday of the Stray Kids fan base, which was named Stay on August 1, 2018.
