Few names in professional sports ownership draw more frustration or eye rolls than New York Jets owner Woody Johnson. Once viewed as a steady hand for one of football’s most tortured franchises, Johnson has become a lightning rod for fan anger, from raising ticket prices amid losing seasons to make tone-deaf comments about his players. As discontent grows in Florham Park, it’s fair to ask: Is Woody Johnson the worst owner in sports?
Rising Prices, Falling Patience
Few NFL franchises have tested the loyalty of their fans quite like the New York Jets, and owner Woody Johnson seems determined to push them to their breaking point.
As Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post reported, fans are furious after the team announced another round of ticket price increases for the 2025 season, despite the Jets’ continued struggles on the field, with a 1-7 record. In PFSN’s Offense Impact Metrics, they sit in the 27th position with a D+ grade. Defense is no better either, with a 25th spot.
A team spokesperson attempted to soften the blow, noting that “the more affordable seats”, mostly upper-deck and lower end zone sections, will remain unchanged. Still, 56 percent of the seats will see increases of $5 to $10 per game, resulting in an average price hike of 3.5 percent across MetLife Stadium.
To make matters worse, the team is trying to justify the increase by citing the fact that one of their nine regular-season home games has been exported to London. So, fewer home games, higher prices, and still no winning football? It’s no wonder Jets fans are livid.
At this point, the only thing likely to fill MetLife next season might be the hope of a top-5 draft pick and a new franchise quarterback. Otherwise, the building could look more like a ghost town than an NFL venue.
Tone-Deaf Comments and a Culture Problem
However, the pricing controversy is just the latest example of why Johnson’s reputation among fans and around the league continues to crater. His alarming public comments about players have raised serious questions about his leadership and the organization’s internal culture.
After taking a veiled shot at quarterback Justin Fields, Johnson recently made headlines, saying, “If we could just complete a pass, it would look good.” That’s not exactly the vote of confidence a struggling player, or locker room, needs from its owner.
And this isn’t the first time a player has hinted at the organization’s lack of empathy. Former Jets quarterback Jordan Travis, who retired earlier this year after a failed comeback from a college leg injury, recalled Johnson’s cold comments during his recovery:
“‘Are you ever gonna get healthy?’ Travis said Johnson asked him. “Not ‘how you feeling?’ Never that. There were always comments like that. It kind of upset me, but it kind of rolled over my head,” Travis had said.
Stories like these paint a troubling picture not of a “cursed” franchise but of one burdened by a toxic culture that starts at the very top.
The Root of the Jets’ Misery
The Jets haven’t just been unlucky; they’ve been poorly led. While fans often blame coaching, quarterback play, or bad draft picks, the issues in Florham Park go far deeper.
The team suffers when an owner prioritizes image and revenue over culture and stability. This franchise has the longest active playoff drought in the NFL, reaching up to 14 years and counting. Not to mention tying the longest active playoff drought in all sports along with the Buffalo Sabres.
It’s hard to imagine a meaningful change in New York until there’s a change in ownership. A sale of the team would be a dream come true for Jets fans, a fresh start for an organization that’s been stuck in the mud for years.
Until then, fans can expect more of the same: bad football, tone-deaf decisions, and a team that feels out of touch with the people who love it most.
