New York Jets Owner Nears 43% Stake Acquisition in Crystal Palace

Woody Johnson, the American billionaire and owner of the New York Jets, has signed a deal to purchase a 43% stake in Crystal Palace from John Textor, valued at approximately £190-200 million. The transaction is pending approval from the Premier League and is expected to resolve UEFA's concerns over multi-club ownership that threatened Crystal Palace's participation in the Europa League. John Textor's stakes in both Crystal Palace and Ligue 1 club Lyon had raised regulatory issues, as UEFA prohibits clubs under the same ownership from competing in the same European competition. Johnson, who has no other football assets, is viewed as a supportive partner alongside chairman Steve Parish and other US investors, potentially securing the club's European future. The deal highlights Johnson's longstanding interest in Premier League ownership and his significant profile as a wealthy businessman and former US ambassador to the UK. UEFA is anticipated to make a final ruling on Crystal Palace's eligibility for European competition by the end of June.