Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets, has reached an agreement to acquire John Textor’s 43 percent stake in Crystal Palace, in a move that could enhance the London club’s chances of participating in next season’s UEFA Europa League.
Crystal Palace secured a historic qualification for European competition in May after defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final, clinching their first major trophy. However, the club’s European aspirations were threatened by UEFA’s multi-club ownership regulations.
John Textor, the American businessman selling his stake, is the majority owner of French club Olympique Lyonnais, who also qualified for the Europa League after finishing sixth in Ligue 1—higher than Palace’s 12th-place finish in the Premier League. UEFA rules prohibit two clubs with shared ownership from competing in the same European tournament, with priority given to the team finishing higher in their domestic league.
According to the reports, Johnson is set to pay £190 million (approximately $255 million) for Textor’s shares.
“Crystal Palace Football Club can confirm that Robert Wood Johnson, ‘Woody’, an American businessman and co-owner of the New York Jets, has signed a legally binding contract to purchase Eagle Football’s holding in the club,” Palace stated on Monday.
“While the completion is subject to approval by the Premier League and Women’s Super League, we anticipate no complications and look forward to welcoming Woody as a partner and director of the club.”
Johnson, 78, is an heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical fortune and was listed with a net worth of $9.2 billion in 2024 by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He previously served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom during President Donald Trump’s administration and was an unsuccessful bidder for Chelsea Football Club in 2022.
Textor initially invested in Crystal Palace in 2021 and also holds substantial shares in Brazilian club Botafogo.
UEFA is expected to make a final ruling on Crystal Palace’s eligibility for European competition by the end of the month.
