New York Jets co-owner Woody Johnson has agreed to purchase John Textor’s 43% stake in Crystal Palace, valued at over £171 million, pending Premier League approval.

This resolves UEFA’s multi-club ownership concerns, as Textor also owns Lyon, ensuring Palace’s participation in the 2025/26 Europa League.

A club statement on Monday (23 June) read: “Crystal Palace Football Club can confirm that Robert Wood Johnson, “Woody”, an American businessman and co-owner of the New York Jets, has signed a legally binding contract to purchase Eagle Football’s holding in the Club.

“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.”

Understand that it’s expected that the sale could be completed within two to four weeks. The Premier League is expected to act quickly to complete its owners and directors test etc to ensure a swift process

— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) June 23, 2025

🚨 CRYSTAL PALACE LATEST
🔴John Textor sells stake to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson for £160m
🔵Deal subject to PL approval
🔴UEFA aware – and should end Europe issues
🔵Structure same – Johnson gets 25% of voting rights https://t.co/sQ6a0SlPHK #cpfc

— Mike Keegan (@MikeKeegan_DM) June 23, 2025

I’d be amazed if it wasn’t, Matt. No word yet, mind.

— Mike Keegan (@MikeKeegan_DM) June 23, 2025

Johnson, with a net worth of £2.4 billion, previously bid £2billion for Chelsea in 2022 but later withdrew.

He has owned the Jets since 2000, now valued at £5.1 billion, though the team have struggled in recent years, not featuring in the playoffs since 2010.

Johnson, a former US ambassador to the UK (2017-2021), must pass the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test.

He will hold 43% of Palace’s shares but only quarter share of the voting rights, consistent with the current ownership structure.

Textor had the same set-up with chairman Steve Parish, US investors David Blitzer and Josh Harris also having a quarter of the rights each.

It’s unclear if Johnson aims for a full takeover.

🗣️ "In the short term it's very good news, in the long term I'm not entirely sure that Johnson will be happy to let Steve Parish run the club"

Comedian and Crystal Palace fan Kevin Day on the news that John Textor has sold his shares to New York Jets' owner Woody Johnson 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/01rGqBcUg9

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 23, 2025

: Really pleased with this mornings #cpfc takeover news but a word of caution… It doesn’t affect the UEFA decision, we’ll still need to prove Textor didn’t have controlling influence (which we will I’m sure) as the deadline for all of these things is prior to March & June

: Thank fuck Textor has gone 👋 Not so sure about this Johnson fella tbh but is what it is. #cpfc

: Good riddance 🤠🤠

: In the immediacy it puts Europe problem to bed! So of course positive in that sense . Can’t say American sports fans comments on Johnson make me hopeful for the long term. Quite the opposite. However, Parish will continue to oversee things so in essence not much changes #CPFC

: The only positive I can see in this (European issue aside) is that Johnson will technically have the same level of power/sway at John Textor does, which equates to nothing decision wise. If that ever changes, I’d be hugely worried.

: Agree with this. I worry that he’s chunmy with H&B due to being in the same sport. I do think it’s an upgrade (financially) on Textor, contrary to what people say. His wealth is actually real and we would currently be his only footballing focus.

: H&B totally trust Parish; that’s my main source of comfort.

: If true, I’m happy that Textor’s gone but I don’t see how this will impact UEFA’s decision. That will be decided by all of the other legal work that’s been done given a transfer of shares is subject to approval and therefore not guaranteed.

@HLTCO: One thing this does guarantee is that there would be no legal challenge from Forest following a UEFA decision to green light Palace’s participation in the Europa League next season. I believe PL approval takes 2-4 weeks but it would clear UEFA to let us in with no headache.

: Same here. As long as Parish still has control then not fussed who comes in #cpfc

@Alitheeagle1: Those saying the sale won’t impact Europe decision. Disagree. Sound bites are UEFA see allowing us in and the easiest option. Sale helps with the optics. Seems like sale would negate a Forest appeal too. #CPFC

: Listening to FYP pod last week, Kieran Maguire said it wouldn’t make any difference to European decision as the sale won’t go through before end of June. Still hopeful we will be ok regardless.

: i just pray he doesn’t try to buy out H&B and assume total control

: Somehow Textor found the one guy worse than him to sell to.

: With the PL approval likely to take weeks if not months, where does that leave UEFA’s decision unless it’s not subject to a sale?

: I won’t worry about Johnson as a person if he invests in the club and doesn’t have overall influence. Who invests in #cpfc is largely out of our hands. It’s an ultra rich game now. But I didn’t think this would have any baring on Europa as Textor didn’t have big enough influence?

: You can imagine the happiness of getting away from having to work with Parrish… a self proclaimed #Cartel puppet when John Textor has gone on record many times condemning the illegalities of the anti competition in the #EPL #NUFC

: Textor is gone ole ole

: We actually have a guy named Woody now owning Palace ffs

: This is not good

: Literally sat on the pool next to an American and he said good luck. Ffs

@T0mmyCPFC: Hope he proves me wrong but this is awful, Such a awful owner to have. hates investing in things he owns. will be happy just making a profit, He honestly makes textor look like a great owner.