Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds is looking to add Major League Baseball to Vancouver’s professional sports repertoire. Reynolds has teamed up with 49ers Enterprises to pursue such a deal, the framework for which appears to be occurring very shortly. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has announced that the bidding process for expansion will begin this quarter, and looks to have two new expansion teams in place by the 2029 season.
In addition to his attempted purchase of the Ottawa Senators in 2023, Vancouver native Reynolds has been a professional sports owner of Wrexham (Wales) AFC since 2021. Together with business partner and fellow actor Rob McElhenny, Wrexham already has been promoted to higher leagues on three occasions, and currently is competing one level below the English Premier League. They have been very successful off the field as well, developing Wrexham’s reputation as an excellent, high-growth place to work. Revenue from team activities has increased from $2 million per annum to over $40 million yearly since the Reynolds/McElhenny purchase.
Canada is a proven market to support another Major League Baseball squad. In its 2025 run to the World Series, the Toronto Blue Jays experienced unwavering support from an entire country. Off the field, the Jays are a model of financial strength as well, having the fifth-highest payroll in baseball and valued at over $2 billion.