US rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson III is putting his money (and name) behind a community side under-14 girls’ youth team from the Cardiff area in Wales.
The 48-year old rapper is sponsoring AFC Rumney, after a parent on the U14s girls team who worked with him during the rapper’s recent “Final Lap” tour convinced him to back his daughter’s team. According to BBC, other parents encouraged the father to ask 50 Cent if he would sponsor the team.
“See if you can get some sponsorship out of him for us,” the parents advised him. Much to their surprise, the rapper agreed, providing the funds for the team’s away kit and sponsoring their tracksuits — both of which will have the rapper’s name and his hip hop collective G-unit displayed on them.
Rumney manager Richie Brown told BBC the boost from 50 Cent was very encouraging and that the players were “buzzing” from the latest news.
“We’ve had a bit of a slow start and lost a few games but hopefully now this can get our confidence back,” Brown said.
“Fingers crossed it brings the results back on the pitch as well. I think Ryan Reynolds has got a bit of competition now! I’m sure the community up in Wrexham is absolutely buzzing with what Ryan Reynolds has done, and hopefully 50 Cent can have that same kind of impact with us down here.”
Brown was referring to Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds, and his joint takeover of Wrexham in 2020 with fellow actor Rob McElhenney.
The pair have their eyes set on the English Premier League — Reynolds said on the team’s mission statement that he hopes to continue to grow Wrexham’s name at home and around the world.
“It’s an amazing story and it’s a privilege to be a part of it,” he said. “That’s what Rob and I keep talking about – how to continue to build on all aspects of this.”
Brown said that his team will send 50 Cent photos from their upcoming games — “…then hopefully he can give us a good luck video or something to acknowledge it all.”
“We’re massively appreciative of everything he’s doing for us right now,” he added. “We love the support.”
The team have become the latest football club to receive the backing of high-profile U.S. celebrities. As well as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney sponsoring of Wrexham, comedian and actor Will Ferrell was announced as a co-owner of Los Angeles FC in 2016.
In 2019, Texas native Matthew McConaughey became an investor of Austin FC. Natalie Portman co-founded her own female football club, Angel City FC in 2022, alongside other actors including America Ferrera, Eva Longoria, Jessica Chastain and sports legend Serena Williams.