Sailing has been given a sprinkling of Hollywood stardust with the announcement that A-list duo Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman have taken over the Australian SailGP team.
Reynolds is no stranger to sports ownership, having invested in Welsh football club Wrexham along with fellow actor Rob McElhenney in 2022, helping the team to three successive promotions.
The Deadpool star has also invested in an Alpine Formula One team and a Colombian football club, La Equidad. He showed interest in purchasing a stake in the NHL’s Ottawa Senators before withdrawing his bid in 2023.
Jackman, who is good friends with Reynolds and co-starred with him in the film Deadpool and Wolverine, joins as co-owner of the team, which will be rebranded as the Bonds Flying Roos following a partnership with the Australian underwear company.
“We’re incredibly excited to set sail together in this new adventure,” Reynolds and Jackman said in a joint statement. “Hugh brings a deep love for and pride in his home country, as well as being an avid fan of sailing. He will also be bringing his overly clingy emotional support human [Reynolds] along for the ride. Apologies in advance to Australia.”
The Australian team, which has won three championships in four seasons, is led by Olympian Tom Slingsby.
The London Games gold medallist said the deal was “an incredible milestone for us and for our sport, having global icons Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds come on board as co-owners of our team.”
“They bring unmatched star power, a love for storytelling, and a sharp sense of humour that fits perfectly with our team,” he said.
“With Bonds joining as our title partner and the launch of the Bonds Flying Roos, we’re building something distinctly Australian; a team driven by spirit, resilience, and national pride.”
after newsletter promotion
SailGP is a 12-team sailing league with other teams representing the United States, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
The Australian team sits in first place, one point ahead of Emirates GBR, with the next race in New York this weekend.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins owns part of the United States SailGP team. Actress Anne Hathaway has a stake in the Italian team.
