- Woody Johnson owns the NFL’s New York Jets, and was the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2021.
- Johnson has purchased a 43% stake in Crystal Palace of the English Premier League for a reported amount of $254 million.
- This has opened the door for Crystal Palace to play in the Europa League next season, as they couldn’t before, due to former owner John Textor already owning Lyon, who are also participating.
Woody Johnson is a successful businessman, first as the heir of Robert Wood Johnson I, who established the Johnson and Johnson pharmaceutical company. Johnson has also been the owner of the NFL’s New York Jets since January 2000.
Johnson is now getting into the soccer business. He purchased a 43% stake of Crystal Palace in the English Premier League. This opens the door for Palace to now play in the Europa League next season.
Johnson Pays $254 Million for 43% Stake in Crystal Palace
The news was announced on Monday, June 23, by various outlets.
Johnson made the purchase of $254 million by taking over the shares of fellow American businessman John Textor, who bought his shares in August 2021 through Eagle Football Holdings. The move isn’t yet official as the deal has to be approved by the Premier League. Johnson also has to pass the Owner’s and Directors’ Test. However, Crystal Palace doesn’t seem to think he’ll have a problem in doing so.
It can’t hurt that Johnson was the US ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2021, under President Donald Trump. Johnson has been the owner of the Jets for the better part of 25 years, albeit, with little success.
The Jets haven’t been to the NFL playoffs since 2010, and likely won’t be near the top of the Super Bowl odds anytime soon. They did go to back-to-back AFC championship games in 2009 and 2010, losing road games at Indianapolis and Pittsburgh, respectively.
However, the purchase does make room for Palace to play European football for the first time in their 119 years of existence!
Does This Mean Crystal Palace Can Play in the Europa League?
Palace won their first major trophy by upsetting Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup in May 2025. FA Cup final odds had Palace as a massive underdog, but they played an incredible match to qualify for the Europa League next season.
However, they were in trouble of missing out on the competition. UEFA rules state:
“No one may simultaneously be involved, either directly or indirectly, in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition.”
Simply put, no one can own majority shares in multiple clubs in a competition. Textor owns majority shares in French club Lyon, which is also in the Europa League. Palace has been trying to plead their case behind the scenes. But if the deal with Johnson is approved, that will improve their case.
Nothing is set in stone yet, and there will surely be plenty of meetings between Johnson, Textor, the Premier League, and UEFA. But qualification for the Europa League has already started in the lower stages, and the league phase starts on August 29. I would bank on a solution coming sooner than later, one way or another!
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