- Research suggests Ryan Reynolds is compared to Steve Jobs for his business success, especially with Wrexham A.F.C. and Mint Mobile, but opinions vary, with some finding it exaggerated.
- Social media posts highlight Reynolds’ ability to turn investments into valuable assets, similar to Jobs’ impact on Apple.
- The comparison is controversial, with some praising Reynolds’ entrepreneurial spirit and others dismissing it as overblown.
Background on the Comparison
Ryan Reynolds, known for acting, has made significant business strides, leading to comparisons with Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, on social media. This comparison focuses on Reynolds’ ability to transform struggling ventures into profitable ones.
Social Media Insights
On April 30, 2025, an X post by
@KenBerenger claimed Reynolds is “the new Steve Jobs,” citing his purchase of Wrexham A.F.C. for $2.5 million in 2020, now worth over $207 million. This post, with over 20 million views, sparked discussion, with some users like
@tony_doge supporting it, while
@RebelChick1111 and Melanie King criticized it as exaggerated.
Why the Comparison?
Reynolds’ ventures, like Mint Mobile (sold for $1.35 billion in 2023) and Aviation Gin (sold for $610 million in 2020), show his knack for value creation, echoing Jobs’ transformative business impact. However, Jobs revolutionized technology, while Reynolds focuses on marketing and brand building.
Introduction and Context
Ryan Reynolds, primarily recognized for his acting career, particularly as Deadpool, has emerged as a significant entrepreneur, leading to comparisons with Steve Jobs, the iconic co-founder of Apple. This comparison, sparked by social media discussions, centers on Reynolds’ ability to identify undervalued assets, invest strategically, and create substantial value, drawing parallels to Jobs’ transformative impact on technology and business. The discussion gained traction through X posts, with varying opinions on the validity of the comparison.
Social Media Posts and Reactions
The comparison originated from an X post by
@KenBerenger on April 30, 2025, stating, “Ryan Reynolds Is the new Steve Jobs. In 2020, Ryan Reynolds bought a struggling 5th-tier Welsh football club for $2.5M. Everyone called him a Hollywood dreamer. But what he did next changed sports & business forever… Here’s the story:” (X post by @KenBerenger). This post received over 20 million views and 81,000 likes, indicating significant engagement.
- Supportive Reactions:
- @tony_doge reposted the same claim on May 1, 2025, with over 176,000 views, amplifying the comparison (X post by @tony_doge). This suggests a segment of users found the analogy compelling, likely due to Reynolds’ business success.
- Critical Reactions:
- @RebelChick1111 responded on April 30, 2025, criticizing the comparison, stating, “Comparing him to genius-inventor Steve Jobs is laughable. Ryan is a good businessman OR he has a great team behind every business move & he just writes a check. Either way, Ryan Reynolds is no Steve Jobs.” (X post by @RebelChick1111). This post, with 285 views, reflects skepticism about equating Reynolds’ achievements with Jobs’.
- Social media personality Melanie King, on May 1, 2025, reacted to the comparison, calling it “the most deranged satire” in response to Ken Berenger’s claim, as reported by Sportskeeda (What is Ryan Reynolds’ net worth in 2025? Melanie King reacts to tweet claiming he’s “the new Steve Jobs,” calls it the “most deranged satire”). This reaction underscores the controversy surrounding the comparison.
The high engagement and varied reactions highlight a polarized discussion on X, with the comparison being both celebrated and contested.
Ryan Reynolds’ Business Ventures
To understand the basis for the comparison, it is essential to examine Reynolds’ entrepreneurial activities, which have contributed to his net worth of $350 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth (Ryan Reynolds Net Worth and Business Empire Explained).
- Wrexham A.F.C.:
- In 2020, Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased Wrexham A.F.C., a fifth-tier Welsh football club, for $2.5 million. By 2025, the club’s value had risen to at least $207 million, driven by increased global recognition through the documentary series Welcome to Wrexham and strategic marketing efforts. This transformation is often cited in social media posts as a parallel to Steve Jobs’ turnaround of Apple in the late 1990s.
- Mint Mobile:
- Reynolds was an investor and spokesperson for Mint Mobile, a budget telecom company. In 2023, T-Mobile acquired Mint Mobile for $1.35 billion, with Reynolds reportedly earning around $300 million from the deal. This success highlights his ability to identify and grow undervalued opportunities, similar to Jobs’ vision for innovation.
- Aviation American Gin:
- Reynolds co-owned Aviation Gin, which was sold to Diageo for $610 million in 2020. He retained a minority stake and continued to be involved in marketing, showcasing his ability to build brand value through creative storytelling and personal endorsement, echoing Jobs’ focus on brand identity.
- Other Ventures:
- Reynolds has invested in companies like Wealthsimple (a Canadian investment management service), Nuvei (a financial technology company), and Alpine F1 Racing Team. His portfolio of businesses is collectively valued at approximately $14 billion, as reported by Forbes, further emphasizing his entrepreneurial impact (Ryan Reynolds’ Co-Owned Or Sold Companies Are Valued at $14 Billion But He Says, ‘Thank God I Am Not Running the Company’ As He Heads Toward …).
These ventures demonstrate Reynolds’ ability to leverage his celebrity status, marketing prowess, and strategic investments to create significant value, drawing parallels to Steve Jobs’ legendary business acumen.
Steve Jobs’ Legacy and Comparison Analysis
Steve Jobs co-founded Apple in 1976 and, through his leadership, transformed it into one of the most valuable companies globally, known for innovative products like the iPhone, iPad, and Macintosh computers. His impact extended beyond business, revolutionizing personal computing, music, and mobile devices, and leaving a lasting cultural legacy.
- Similarities:
- Both Reynolds and Jobs have demonstrated an ability to identify undervalued or struggling assets and turn them into highly profitable ventures. Reynolds’ turnaround of Wrexham A.F.C. and Mint Mobile mirrors Jobs’ revival of Apple in the late 1990s.
- Reynolds’ use of marketing and storytelling to build brand value echoes Jobs’ legendary product launches and focus on user experience, creating a personal connection with consumers.
- Differences:
- Steve Jobs revolutionized entire industries, such as personal computing and mobile technology, with groundbreaking innovations. Reynolds’ ventures, while successful, are more focused on brand building and marketing rather than technological or industrial innovation.
- Jobs’ impact was global and transformative, changing how people interact with technology, whereas Reynolds’ success, while impressive, is more niche and celebrity-driven, primarily in sports, liquor, and telecom.
Thus, while Reynolds’ business acumen is undeniable, the comparison to Steve Jobs may be hyperbolic, as Jobs’ contributions to technology and culture are on a different scale, as noted by critics like
@RebelChick1111 and Melanie King.
Detailed Breakdown of Social Media Engagement
To organize the information, the following table summarizes key X posts and reactions related to the comparison:
| X Handle | Post Date (IST) | Content Summary | View Count | Fave Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| @KenBerenger | April 30, 2025, 19:52 | Claims Reynolds is the new Steve Jobs, cites Wrexham A.F.C. purchase and impact. | 20,126,724 | 81,003 |
| @tony_doge | May 1, 2025, 17:39 | Reposts @KenBerenger’s claim, amplifies the comparison. | 176,031 | 1,114 |
| @RebelChick1111 | April 30, 2025, 23:27 | Criticizes comparison, says Reynolds is a good businessman but not like Jobs. | 285 | 4 |
This table highlights the engagement levels and the polarized reactions, with
@KenBerenger’s post driving significant discussion.