Jets Owner Woody Johnson Nears Crystal Palace Stake Purchase

Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets and former U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom in President Donald Trump's first term, is in talks to purchase minority shareholder John Textor's 43-44.9% stake in English Premier League club Crystal Palace for approximately £190-200 million ($258-272 million). This potential sale is significant because UEFA rules prohibit one owner from having majority stakes in multiple clubs competing in the same European tournament, and Textor also owns a majority stake in Ligue 1 club Lyon, which qualified for the Europa League. Crystal Palace, having won the FA Cup and earned a Europa League spot, risk being barred from the competition unless Textor sells his shares or puts them into a blind trust, a deadline he missed. Crystal Palace co-chair Steve Parish supports Johnson's offer, which is below Textor's initial valuation, and other potential buyers, including U.S. investors and a consortium involving NBA player Jimmy Butler, are also reportedly interested. UEFA is expected to make a ruling on Crystal Palace's participation in the Europa League later this month, with Textor’s sale likely to clear the way for the club's European campaign. Johnson’s involvement would add him to the growing list of American owners in English soccer, joining others who also own NFL teams.