If you’re seeking to understand the future direction of English football, tune into Paramount+ this Friday. The match featuring Birmingham City visiting Wrexham—often called the “Hollywood Derby”—has become a leading confrontation of brands and boardrooms. In the red corner: Deadpool and United Airlines, while the blue corner boasts the greatest quarterback of all time. The star power present at the Racecourse Ground would surpass that of prominent matches at Old Trafford or the Santiago Bernabeu.
This situation isn’t universally accepted across the entirety of English football. Wrexham, now under the ownership of entertainers Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, has enjoyed remarkable success since their acquisition in 2020. Birmingham City followed suit with a takeover by a consortium that includes Tom Brady, and they share the top positions in League One. As they move into the Championship, both teams are on the path to establishing themselves as playoff contenders.
While their recent results may inspire envy, questions arise about the authenticity of the English Football League as it becomes a hub for content creators seeking genuine narratives. This perspective isn’t echoed by Tom Wagner, chairman of Birmingham City. Speaking at Leaders Week London 2025, he expressed excitement about the upcoming match and believes that the Hollywood Derby brings benefits to both teams involved.
“I hold great respect for Ryan and Rob. They are commendable individuals doing noteworthy things. Their efforts in Wrexham are remarkable. The community there is exceptional and enriches the football experience,” Wagner stated. He plans to enjoy the match from the stands, relishing the atmosphere alongside fans.
Wagner acknowledges that this mini-rivalry is just a precursor to larger battles to come in wider Birmingham football culture, especially with the notable absence of the Second City derby since Aston Villa’s promotion.
In an exciting vision for the future of Birmingham, Wagner emphasized the ambition of the club, which could potentially fill a proposed new stadium with a capacity of 62,000. When discussing how to improve the overall standard in Birmingham football, he stated, “The greater public interest will attract investments and create upward momentum.”
In conclusion, the future appears bright for Wrexham and Birmingham City, as the influence of their celebrity owners grows along with their competitive aspirations in English football.
