The rumors have finally been confirmed: Woody Johnson has purchased a stake in a Premier League team. The New York Jets owner has failed to turn his NFL franchise into a successful team, but he’s now made a big investment in another noteworthy organization. It’s way too soon to tell how this will go, but it’s a big risk for both parties.
Woody Johnson Buys Stake in Crystal Palace
Johnson purchased a 43% stake in the club from American businessman John Textor for £190 million ($254 million). Upon its approval from the Premier League, this will allow Palace to play in next season’s UEFA Europa League and end the prospect of the club breaching multi-club ownership rules due to Textor’s Eagle Football Holdings Group also having a controlling stake in the French club, Lyon.
The UEFA Europa League would be the next step for Crystal Palace after the Premier League team won its first major trophy in club history, the FA Cup. While they finished 12th in the Premier League standings, they will join Aston Villa in the Europa League group stage.
Textor owned 45% of the club, which will now see most of his share go to Johnson. He has owned the Jets since 2000, when he purchased the team for $635 million. Compared to the $10 billion the Los Angeles Lakers just sold for, his purchase looks like a steal. This is not Johnson’s first exposure to the Premier League, as he made a £2 billion bid for Chelsea F.C. in 2022.
We can confirm that Robert Wood Johnson “Woody” has signed a legally binding contract to purchase Eagle Football’s holding in the club.
Full club statement ⤵️#CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) June 23, 2025
The club commented on Johnson’s purchase, “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. 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.”
Even though numerous NFL games have occurred in London in the past few years, not all soccer fans are familiar with American football. Johnson certainly has a reputation to his name, and it will only take a few seconds of research for Crystal Palace fans to realize what they are in for.
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There’s no telling as to how this will go, but it’s a massive move for Palace. The team’s relative success has set the bar high for Johnson’s tenure.
Debuting in 1905, Palace has quite a history. The team was an inaugural member of the Premier League in 1992-93, but they were relegated four times within the first 12 seasons. Since returning to the Premier League in 2013, they’ve remained there. This team had a reputation for being good (but never good enough) until they won the FA Cup in 2025.
Palace fans will hope Johnson’s European adventure fares better than his time in East Rutherford.