Johnson, a co-owner of the New York Jets, purchases a Crystal Palace share
The Premier League team announced on Monday that Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson, a co-owner of the New York Jets, had legally agreed to purchase Eagle Football Holding’s interest in Crystal Palace.
According to British media, the agreement is valued at almost 190 million pounds ($254.39 million), and it is contingent upon clearance from the Premier League and the Women’s Super League.
“Whilst the completion is pending approval from the Premier League and Women’s Super League, we do not envisage any issues and look forward to welcoming Woody as a partner and director of the club,” Palace said in a press release.
Former American ambassador to the UK Johnson will join Palace as a director and partner. The 78-year-old is one of the descendants of the Johnson family, who established the pharmaceutical business Johnson & Johnson.
Eagle Football Holdings, a multi-club corporation run by American tycoon John Textor, who also has shares in Brazil’s Botafogo and Ligue 1’s Olympique Lyonnais, sold Johnson a 43 percent stake in Palace, according to British media.
After winning the FA Cup the previous season, Palace earned a spot in the Europa League. However, because European soccer’s governing body, UEFA, prohibits clubs owned by the same person from playing in the same competition, they now face the possibility of losing their spot because of former stakeholder Textor’s connections to Lyon, another qualifier.
“We would like to go on record to thank John Textor for his contribution over the past four years and wish him every success for the future,” the club situated in south London said.
In August 2021, Textor purchased the interest for around 90 million pounds.
