Wrexham owner and Hollywood superstar Ryan Reynolds has criticised the National League for their stance on streaming games domestically or internationally in a rant on Twitter.
The 45-year-old labelled the decision as "baffling" and took to social media to vent his frustration, tagging every club account including Notts County.
He believes the league is denying its clubs the chance to increase revenue and their fanbases. BT Sport has held the broadcasting rights to the National League since 2013, with the current deal running until 2024.
READ MORE: Five things we learned from Notts County's 1-0 win over Solihull Moors
In the post on Twitter, Reynolds said: "After months of maximum effort, the decision (through inaction of the Vanarama National League) to not allow domestic/international streaming of matches of Wrexham and the other clubs in the league is truly baffling.
“Depriving every team in our league the chance to expand the fanbase while adding to league revenue benefits everyone. This is a spotlight and a chance and we ask the Vanarama National League to take it.”
His statement reached league sponsors Vanarama, who backed Reynolds.
“We are in favour of live streaming as long as it benefits all clubs in the league and is what the fans want," tweeted the official Vanarama Twitter account.
“As the National League’s title sponsor, we will talk to the Vanarama National League and BT Sport to make sure our voice is heard.
“And thank you to Ryan Reynolds for unblocking us. Glad we can come together on this and bring the National League to new levels.”
Vanarama chief executive Andrew Alderson added: “We’re in full support of Ryan Reynolds requesting more effort from the National League to televise all clubs.
“Vanarama, too, want what is best for the fans and pledge to work with him to bring the National League to new levels with more matches streamed, as long as it is what both the clubs and the fans want.
“We’re in talks with all clubs to assess whether the broadcasting would be of benefit.”
In a statement released by the National League on Wednesday afternoon, the league outlined plans for a streaming service which will be discussed at a meeting next month.
In the statement, it read: "Firstly, it is important to remember that we already have a Broadcast Partner, in BT Sports, who currently have the contractual rights to all National League games in a deal that has served the whole league and all its 72 clubs well.
"BT are keen to work with the National League to support opportunities for our clubs to generate extra income, as they did during the Covid Pandemic, in the form of streaming.
"We have been working intensely for some months to finalise a proposal launch a centralised, fully tested Vanarama National League streaming platform. This proposal goes to the Board for consideration at their meeting on September 15.
"The proposal will recognise that we must respect and protect the status of the league and also BT Sport’s high production values and ensuring an approach which guarantees quality of service and the needs of all our clubs and their fans.
"We understand the desire from some clubs, who find themselves in a position to stream independently and we respect that, however there is a requirement for the League to protect and provide a solution for all three divisions.
"We will always take into account the views of individual clubs, but it is imperative that we look after the interests of 72 member clubs and doing as much as we can to deliver income, profile and support for all.
"The commercial arm of the League have been simultaneously seeking partners for the delivery and commercialisation of a streaming platform. The League has the support of Vanarama and BT Sport in ensuring we deliver the needs of all our Clubs.
"There are challenges in supplying a product that can be used by everyone, whilst ensuring compliance with Article 48.
"The Board will consider the proposal in full, and that will include the timetable for its introduction."
The Magpies are set to face Wrexham next month following an excellent start to the National League season for Luke Williams' side, who are unbeaten after six games.
