- Woody Johnson owns the NFL’s New York Jets, and was the USA ambassador to the UK from 2017 to 2021.
- Johnson has bought a 43% stake in Crystal Palace of the English Premier League for a reported quantity of $254 million.
- This has opened the door for Crystal Palace to play within the Europa League subsequent season, as they couldn’t earlier than as a consequence of possession points.
The New York Jets proprietor Woody Johnson reportedly purchased a stake in English soccer membership Crystal Palace. He bought 43% of the workforce’s shares, which could be sufficient for Palace to play within the Europa League subsequent season.
The membership certified by successful the English FA Cup, however there was a battle with UEFA rules as a result of the bulk proprietor additionally holds a majority stake in Lyon, a French membership that additionally certified for the Europa League.
Johnson Pays $254 Million for 43% Stake in Crystal Palace
The information was introduced on Monday, June 23, by varied shops.
Johnson made the acquisition of $254 million by taking up the shares of fellow American businessman John Textor, who purchased them in August 2021 by Eagle Soccer Holdings.
The transfer isn’t but official because the deal must be authorized by the Premier League. Johnson additionally has to cross the Proprietor’s and Administrators’ Check. Nonetheless, Crystal Palace doesn’t appear to suppose he’ll have an issue in doing so.
It might’t damage that Johnson was the US ambassador to the UK from 2017 to 2021, beneath President Donald Trump. Johnson has been the proprietor of the Jets for the higher a part of 25 years, albeit, with little success.
The Jets haven’t been to the NFL playoffs since 2010, and sure received’t be close to the highest of the Tremendous Bowl odds anytime quickly. They did go to back-to-back AFC championship video games in 2009 and 2010, shedding highway video games at Indianapolis and Pittsburgh, respectively.
Nonetheless, the acquisition does make room for Palace to play European soccer for the primary time of their 119 years of existence!
Can Crystal Palace Play within the Europa League?
Palace received their first main trophy by upsetting Manchester Metropolis 1-0 within the FA Cup in Might 2025. FA Cup closing odds had Palace as an enormous underdog, however they performed an unimaginable match to qualify for the Europa League subsequent season.
Nonetheless, they have been in bother of lacking out on the competitors. UEFA guidelines state:
“Nobody could concurrently be concerned, both straight or not directly, in any capability in any respect within the administration, administration and/or sporting efficiency of multiple membership collaborating in a UEFA membership competitors.”
Merely put, nobody can personal majority shares in a number of golf equipment in a contest. Textor owns majority shares in French membership Lyon, which can also be within the Europa League. Palace has been making an attempt to plead their case behind the scenes. But when the take care of Johnson is authorized, that can enhance their case.
Nothing is about in stone but, and there’ll absolutely be loads of conferences between Johnson, Textor, the Premier League, and UEFA. However qualification for the Europa League has already began within the decrease phases, and the league section begins on August 29. I’d financial institution on an answer coming prior to later, a method or one other!