Wrexham AFC will continue to push for National League games to be made available to stream domestically and internationally having not been granted permission to stream tonight’s game against Gateshead (Tuesday, August 30).
Wrexham AFC says it first raised the issue in April 2021.
In a statement, the club said: “The ability to stream games would financially benefit all clubs and significantly enhance the profile of the League by providing the League’s Executives the platform to market the competition, generating increased central revenue.
"At the start of this season, with the pending launch of ‘Welcome to Wrexham’, the club stepped up the pressure on the National League to secure the support of BT, to allow all clubs to stream games both domestically and internationally, considering the provisions of UEFA Article 48."
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Having not made any significant progress by August 23, they asked that the Board of the National League approve an approach to BT, to secure consent for Wrexham to stream the now sold-out game against Gateshead.
The club said: “Unbelievably, the request hasn’t even been considered by the Board of the National League yet, never mind a decision made.
“The Club feels let down and can only assure fans, both new and old that we have done everything we could to provide the opportunity to watch the game live, both in the UK and overseas.
“On Tuesday, there will be at least 39 games available for a UK audience to watch across various platforms and probably more to the international market, so why there is a reluctance from the National League to allow the game to be broadcast is difficult to understand.
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“We will continue to push, to ensure that all clubs can stream games, not just Wrexham AFC.”
Co-owner of the club, Ryan Reynolds commented on the issue via Twitter.
He tweeted: “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 @TheVanaramaNL to take it. And we urge @Vanarama and @btsport to help them find the wisdom to do so”
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. CC @btsport. Pls RT!!! 1/4
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) August 29, 2022
Copied into the thread was BT Sport and all the National League clubs.
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Co-Owner Rob McElhenney, also on Twitter, joked: “For those who can’t tell, this is Ryan upset. It took me a while too. Canadian upset reads like American slightly annoyed.”
For those who can’t tell, this is Ryan upset. It took me a while too. Canadian upset reads like American slightly annoyed. 🇨🇦 🇺🇸 🏴 https://t.co/tbYa3IiafY
— Rob McElhenney (@RMcElhenney) August 29, 2022
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