Rob Mac, a lifelong Philadelphia Eagles devotee and co‑owner of Welsh club Wrexham, finds himself at the center of a cultural conversation that stretches from the Delaware River to the fields of North Wales.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Mac grew up hearing the city’s gritty stories — his grandfather once worked as a longshoreman on the banks of the Delaware — and later made his mark on television as part of the ensemble behind *It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia*.
A transatlantic partnership
In 2021, Mac teamed up with actor Ryan Reynolds to purchase Wrexham, a club with a storied past and a passionate fan base. The deal marked the beginning of a new chapter for the club, which had been absent from the Football League for fifteen years.
Just two years later, Wrexham secured three consecutive promotions, culminating in a historic victory over a Premier League side — the first such win since 1999. The momentum has carried the club into the spotlight, with a scheduled friendly against Sunderland on August 2 drawing considerable attention.
Mac sees the upcoming FIFA World Cup as a potential catalyst for soccer’s mainstream breakthrough in the United States. He likens the anticipation to the buzz surrounding Christian Laettner’s buzzer‑beater at the Spectrum, a moment that still resonates with Philadelphia sports fans.
Beyond the pitch, Mac’s sports allegiances remain rooted in his hometown. He applauds the Eagles’ decision to trade A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots, while also rooting for the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals despite his NBA loyalties. Having spent six years in New York City, he brings a cross‑coastal perspective to every game he watches.
With nine nations competing in five group‑stage matches this summer, plus a knockout fixture on July 4, Mac believes this tournament could finally usher soccer into everyday American conversation, much like the cultural ripple he hopes his own club will continue to create.