Ryan Reynolds: Mint Mobile, Aviation Gin and Beyond

Ryan's Gin Bet Pays Off Big

Ryan Reynolds snagged a stake in Aviation Gin and flipped it into a massive windfall.

Back in February 2018, Ryan dove into the spirits world, grabbing a big piece of Aviation American Gin and steering its creative side.^{[4][5][6][7][8][3]}

From Actor to Spirits Mogul

Ryan's move wasn't just a side hustle. He owned a chunk of the brand for under two years before a blockbuster sale hit in 2020.^{[4][5][6][7][8][3]}

Diageo snapped up Aviation Gin for $335 million upfront, with another $275 million on the table if it performs well.^[1][2][3] Ryan and his crew at Davos Brands held onto some ownership after the deal.^[1][2][3]

Mint Mobile's Star Power

Ryan didn't stop at gin. In November 2019, he linked up with Mint Mobile's founder David Glickman via the Michael J. Fox Foundation and bought a 20-25% stake.^{[4][5][6][7][8][3]}

That stake sits around 25% today.^[1][2][3] Ryan poured his energy into ads, using his Maximum Effort agency to craft spots that went viral for both Mint and Aviation in 2020.^{[4][5][6][7][8][3]}

The Big Mint Payday

March 2023 brought another win. T-Mobile bought Mint Mobile and its parent Ka’ena Corp for $1.35 billion.^{[4][5][6][7][8][3]}

Ryan pocketed about $300 million from his share, though some reports peg it at $337.5 million.^[1][2][3] He stuck around in a creative spot post-sale.^{[4][5][6][7][8][3]}

Blake's Buzz in the Mix

Ryan's not the only one mixing drinks in the family. Blake Lively rolled out her Betty Buzz line in 2021, teaming up with Ryan's Maximum Effort.^[1][2][3]

It's a nod to how Ryan's ventures spill into home life. The couple's brands keep buzzing together.

Ryan's Witty Warnings

"Dignity and grammar can vanish in an instant"

— Ryan Reynolds, 2021-05-04^[9]

Ryan's ads often crack wise about his own products. He once quipped about the risks of blending his brands.

"Emoji abuse spreads unchecked"

— Ryan Reynolds, 2021-05-04^[9]

In one spot, Ryan got blunt on purpose.

"The marketing department asked me to be as explicit as possible when explaining it"

— Ryan Reynolds^[10]

Reports swirl about Ryan cautioning folks against pairing Mint Mobile with Aviation Gin, though that's unverified.^[3] His humor ties the pitches together.

Beyond the Brands

Ryan's strategy shines in a 2026 YouTube breakdown. It traces how he spun a $200K Aviation buy into a $1.1 billion exit, touching Mint and even Wrexham AFC.^{[4][5][6][7][8][3]}

He's built an empire on quick, clever moves. Fans watch as Ryan keeps expanding.

Will Ryan's next play top these billion-dollar flips?

Frequently asked questions

How much did Diageo initially pay for Aviation Gin?

Diageo paid $335 million upfront for Aviation Gin.

When did Ryan Reynolds acquire a stake in Aviation Gin?

Ryan Reynolds acquired a stake in Aviation American Gin in February 2018.

What other company besides Ryan Reynolds' owned a portion of Aviation Gin after the Diageo acquisition?

Davos Brands retained some ownership of Aviation Gin after the deal with Diageo.