London, England – Woody Johnson, the prominent American businessman known widely as the owner of the National Football League’s (NFL) New York Jets franchise and who previously served as the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom, has reached an agreement to acquire a significant stake in the Premier League football club Crystal Palace.
The proposed transaction involves Johnson purchasing the 43 percent share in the South London-based club that was formerly held by American investor John Textor. The agreement, subject to regulatory approvals, marks a notable expansion of Johnson’s sports ownership portfolio into the global phenomenon of English top-flight football.
A Noteworthy Acquisition
Woody Johnson’s name is synonymous in the United States with the New York Jets, a team he has owned since 2000. His tenure as owner has seen the franchise navigate the complexities of the NFL. Beyond sports, Johnson served in a key diplomatic role as the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom under the Trump administration from 2017 to 2021, fostering ties between the two nations from the embassy in London.
His return to engagement with the United Kingdom, albeit through sports ownership, underscores the growing international appeal and investment potential seen in the Premier League. The league stands as one of the most-watched and financially powerful domestic football competitions globally, attracting investors from around the world drawn by its commercial reach and competitive landscape.
The Transaction Details
The core of the agreement centers on the divestment by John Textor of his 43 percent stake in Crystal Palace. Textor, an American businessman with interests in several football clubs globally, including Olympique Lyonnais in France, Botafogo in Brazil, and RWD Molenbeek in Belgium, had been a co-owner at Selhurst Park since 2021.
Textor’s multi-club ownership model had drawn scrutiny and discussion within football governance circles, and his decision to sell his stake in Crystal Palace allows him to potentially consolidate his focus or capital elsewhere within his football network. The valuation of the 43 percent share acquired by Johnson has not been publicly disclosed in detail, but such significant stakes in Premier League clubs typically involve substantial sums.
Implications for Crystal Palace
The arrival of Woody Johnson as a major shareholder is anticipated to bring fresh investment and strategic input to Crystal Palace. The club, which finished the recent Premier League season strongly under manager Oliver Glasner, will look to leverage the new capital to enhance its competitive position.
Reports surrounding the transaction suggest that this investment is expected to significantly boost Crystal Palace’s prospects for playing in European competitions next season. While qualification for European tournaments (such as the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, or UEFA Europa Conference League) is determined by league position and domestic cup performance in the preceding season, the infusion of capital from a major investor like Johnson could enable greater spending on player recruitment, infrastructure development, and overall club operations.
Enhanced resources can allow a club to attract higher-calibre players, improve training facilities, and strengthen its academy, all of which are crucial for climbing the Premier League table and consistently challenging for the top spots that grant access to lucrative and prestigious European football.
Johnson’s Vision and Football Investment Trend
While Johnson’s specific long-term vision for Crystal Palace has yet to be fully outlined, his history with the New York Jets suggests an investor familiar with the demands and dynamics of professional sports ownership. His experience operating a major sports franchise and his recent diplomatic posting in London provide him with a unique perspective on both the American business model in sports and the cultural and operational nuances of the UK landscape.
His investment also aligns with a broader trend of increasing American ownership in the Premier League. Several top English clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and others, have majority American investors or ownership groups, reflecting the strong interest from the United States in the global reach and commercial opportunities presented by English football.
Looking Ahead
The completion of Woody Johnson’s acquisition of the 43 percent stake from John Textor is contingent on customary regulatory approvals, including from the Premier League itself. Once finalized, Johnson will join the existing ownership structure at Crystal Palace, which includes Steve Parish, the club’s long-standing chairman, and other investors.
Supporters of Crystal Palace will be keenly watching how the new investment translates into tangible improvements on and off the pitch, hopeful that the arrival of the New York Jets owner signals an ambitious new era for the club and strengthens their ability to compete at the highest level, potentially realizing the reported prospect of European football in the seasons to come.
