Crystal Palace’s hopes of making their long-awaited debut in European competition have received a major boost, thanks to a pending ownership shift that resolves a crucial UEFA conflict. Woody Johnson, the billionaire owner of the NFL’s New York Jets and a former U.S. ambassador to the UK, is finalizing a deal to acquire a significant stake in the Premier League club—removing an obstacle that previously threatened their Europa League qualification.
Johnson is set to purchase a 45% share in Palace from American businessman John Textor, whose Eagle Football Holdings also owns stakes in other clubs including France’s Lyon. The deal, valued at around £190 million, is still awaiting approval from the Premier League and Women’s Super League, but the expectation is that it will be greenlit in time for Palace to participate in the 2025–26 Europa League.
The issue at the heart of this transition revolves around UEFA’s strict rules on multi-club ownership. These rules are designed to preserve the integrity of European competitions by ensuring that no single investor has control or influence over more than one club participating in the same tournament. With both Palace and Lyon qualifying for next season’s Europa League, Textor’s overlapping control posed a serious conflict. Had the situation remained unresolved, Palace could have been blocked from European play despite their on-field success.
Textor, under increasing pressure to fix the ownership overlap, chose to offload his Palace shares. Enter Woody Johnson—a prominent figure with both the resources and experience in professional sports to take on a leadership role at Selhurst Park. Johnson’s team has reportedly agreed to the financial terms, and now only regulatory approvals remain.
This pending transfer arrives at a pivotal moment for Palace. The London club enjoyed a standout 2024–25 campaign, including a strong Premier League finish and a historic FA Cup win. Their reward: a coveted Europa League spot. The move to Johnson’s stewardship not only helps Palace stay eligible under UEFA’s governance, but also brings the promise of new investment and leadership stability.
While Johnson has no prior background in football ownership, his experience running the NFL’s New York Jets and his previous diplomatic ties to Britain position him as a credible and strategic figure to lead Palace into a new era. Supporters and analysts alike view the deal as more than just a fix to a regulatory problem—it’s potentially the beginning of a long-term transformation for the club.
For Textor, the sale helps simplify his portfolio, which had grown increasingly complex. His ownership group, Eagle Football, holds interests in multiple clubs, including Brazil’s Botafogo and Belgium’s RWD Molenbeek. Lyon, his most high-profile European club, is facing its own troubles, including financial constraints and a surprising relegation to Ligue 2. That downturn has only added urgency to clarify his ownership ties before UEFA’s final deadline for compliance.
In recent weeks, Lyon’s relegation appeared to ease the European eligibility conflict, but UEFA has remained strict about ensuring no overlapping influence exists between clubs in their competitions. Johnson’s buyout removes the last lingering doubt.
The timing of the transaction is also crucial. UEFA is expected to finalize the list of eligible clubs in July. Had the conflict not been resolved by then, Crystal Palace might have lost their European spot to another club. Thanks to this timely shift, the Eagles are now poised to soar onto the continental stage for the first time in their history.
In conclusion, Woody Johnson’s imminent acquisition of a large Crystal Palace stake not only marks a new chapter in the club’s ownership structure but also solidifies their long-sought Europa League dreams. With Premier League approval likely on the horizon, Palace’s European journey is finally within reach—backed by fresh leadership and an enthusiastic fanbase.
