New York Jets owner Woody Johnson is among the most controversial figures in North American sports. Among the heirs to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical fortune, Johnson purchased the Jets for $635 million alongside his brother Christopher Johnson in 2000. He’s now setting his sights on expanding his ownership by attempting to purchase a soccer team.
Johnson has reportedly made an offer to purchase a 43 percent stake in English Premier League (EPL) club Crystal Palace, according to a report by The Telegraph. Crystal Palace’s estimated value is said to be approximately £500 million.
This isn’t Johnson’s first attempt to purchase an English soccer club. The former United Kingdom Ambassador made an approach to purchase Chelsea FC in 2022. He was unsuccessful, but is now reigniting his interest by taking a run at a stake in Crystal Palace’s ownership structure.
Crystal Palace finished 12th in the EPL standings this past season. As winners of the FA Cup this year (an in-league Cup competition), they qualified for the Europa League next season, the second-most prestigious European-wide competition. That’ll bring more revenue and notoriety to the club in 2025.
Crystal Palace has never won the Premier League. Doesn’t Johnson already own enough underperforming teams?
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets owner Woody Johnson wants to buy an English Premier League soccer team
Reporting by Justin Melo, Jets Wire / Jets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
