Crystal Palace has announced that Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets, has acquired a stake in the club.
Johnson reached an agreement for a 43% share of the Premier League team, valued at £190 million ($254 million), buying the interest from fellow American businessman John Text.
“I am proud to join the Crystal Palace Football Club ownership group,” Johnson stated on Thursday.
“The club has a rich legacy and a strong presence in southern London football, something I’ve come to appreciate during my time as the U.S. ambassador to Britain.”
“The loyalty and passion displayed by Eagles fans is remarkable, and I look forward to engaging with them.”
Currently, Crystal Palace is embroiled in a conflict with UEFA regarding its demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League, and is pursuing legal action in court.
Due to UEFA regulations, two clubs under the same ownership cannot compete in the same tournament, which has led to restrictions on Palace’s participation due to a majority stake in Lyon.
“We’re continuing to pursue this,” said President Steve Parish on a podcast. “There’s an appeal process in place, and we’ll take it to CAS, the Court of Arbitration, with a solid legal argument.”
“I believe this decision is fundamentally flawed, and I am confident we can prove John’s influence on the club has been minimal.”
At 78, Johnson previously served as the U.S. ambassador to the UK from 2017 to 2021 and had tried to purchase Chelsea before the club was sold following sanctions against its former Russian owner, Roman Abramovich, due to the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Johnson has previously expressed his support for Chelsea.
Reporting contributed by Mark Ogden of ESPN.
Fan Take: This news underscores the increasing American influence in the Premier League, which could reshape club dynamics and investment strategies. For soccer fans, it raises questions about the balance of traditional club values against substantial financial backing, potentially transforming the landscape of English football.
