**Tom Brady Corrects Presenter Over Wrexham Mix-Up Amidst “Hollywood Derby” Rivalry**
NFL icon Tom Brady has become an unexpected talking point in British football after a live television slip-up saw him misidentified as an investor in Wrexham AFC, not his actual club, Birmingham City. The incident, broadcast during Champions League final coverage on CBS Sports, triggered a lively exchange and underscored the growing intersection of celebrity ownership and English football.
During the star-studded panel, which also featured sporting legends David Beckham and Thierry Henry alongside actor Tom Cruise, host Kate Scott mistakenly congratulated Brady on his supposed involvement with Wrexham—a club actually owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Brady, who owns a minority stake in Birmingham City, quickly interrupted to correct the error and threw in a cheeky dig for good measure: “We kicked Wrexham’s a** this year, multiple times.”
The moment prompted visible embarrassment for Scott, who had just referenced Beckham’s connections to Inter Miami and Salford City, as well as Henry’s recent venture with Como in Italy’s Serie A. Brady’s sharp retort injected a sense of playful rivalry into what has become an increasingly high-profile narrative in lower league football.
Rivalry between Birmingham and Wrexham has become a focal point as both clubs, bolstered by high-profile owners, surged towards promotion from League One. While Birmingham City clinched the title, Wrexham secured their own place in the Championship as runners-up—a remarkable achievement for the North Wales side, which has drawn international attention thanks to the hit Disney+ documentary series, ‘Welcome to Wrexham’.
The dynamic between the two clubs has been dubbed the “Hollywood derby,” as A-list owners stoke competition on and off the pitch. Their first meeting of the season at St Andrews ended with Birmingham celebrating a 3-1 victory in front of Beckham, while the return fixture at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground finished in a 1-1 draw, granting the Welsh club a modicum of redemption.
Amid the sporting action, the cultural impact of football’s celebrity influx continues to unfold. The fourth season of ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ captures these new rivalries, including a scene in which Tom Brady and Rob McElhenney share a light-hearted encounter at St Andrews. In one memorable episode, McElhenney shows Brady a clip from his own series, ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’, where his character vows to “hurt” Brady–a moment Brady playfully rebuffs with humour.
The mutual respect and banter have done little to dampen competitive spirit, particularly as both clubs now prepare for the demands of Championship football. Opinions vary over who is best positioned to thrive. Former Premier League manager Tim Sherwood, among other pundits, predicts Birmingham could have an edge due to their larger fanbase and financial resources: “It’ll be harder for Wrexham to go back-to-back than Birmingham… so they can spend more money.”
Despite sceptics, Wrexham’s coaching team have voiced confidence. Assistant manager Steve Parkin told The Leader: “I heard some rubbish a couple of weeks ago that if Wrexham got in the Championship, we’d struggle. Hang on a minute, can we just enjoy this – a remarkable achievement – and see what happens?” Parkin highlighted that even finishing as runners-up behind Birmingham was beyond the expectations of many at the start of the campaign.
The tale of Birmingham and Wrexham, entwined through Hollywood investment and on-field drama, has sparked unprecedented international interest in English football’s lower leagues. The storylines—blending celebrity, rivalry and sporting ambition—promise to continue as the “Hollywood derby” resumes in the Championship next season.
Both clubs aim to use their newfound global profile and financial backing for further success. For now, the playful jabs and headlines are just a taste of what’s to come, as the next chapter of this remarkable footballing rivalry unfolds in front of an increasingly captivated audience.