Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman Take Over Australian SailGP Team: A Hollywood Power Play in Competitive Sailing
Marvel actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman have taken over the Australian SailGP Team, becoming the new controlling owners alongside team driver Tom Slingsby. The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but the Australian team was previously owned by SailGP, which will retain a minority stake. This move expands Reynolds' international sports portfolio, adding to his ownership of Wrexham AFC, La Equidad, Club Necaxa, and the Alpine F1 Team through his firm, Maximum Effort Investments.
Hugh Jackman, an avid sailing fan and proud Aussie, joins Reynolds in this venture. The actors have maintained a friendship since working together on X-Men Origins: Wolverine in 2007. Their 2024 collaboration, Deadpool & Wolverine, was a massive success, grossing $1.3 billion worldwide. SailGP, founded in 2019 by Russell Coutts and Larry Ellison, has seen Slingsby's Australia team win the first three championships, with Spain currently holding the title.
Celebrity ownership is not uncommon in SailGP, with notable figures like Kylian Mbappé, Anne Hathaway, and DeAndre Hopkins owning teams in different countries. DJ Khaled serves as the global championship's chief hype officer during American events and sits on the United States SailGP team's board of directors. SailGP's managing director anticipates revenue of at least $100 million by 2025, with the league aiming to expand from 13 races this year to over 20 in the future.
The next SailGP event is scheduled for June 7 and 8 in New York, with plans to expand the league's reach through more races in the future. The Australia SailGP Team has secured its first title sponsor, Bonds, and will now be known as the BONDS Flying Roos. Each team competes in high-tech, wind-powered racing catamarans during the races, with Rolex as the circuit's title sponsor in a 10-year deal.
In conclusion, the involvement of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in the Australian SailGP Team marks a significant moment for the league's global trajectory. With their ownership, the team is poised for success in upcoming races and events, showcasing the star power and influence of Hollywood in the world of competitive sailing.