Crystal Palace Considering Share Sale to New York Jets Owner

Stakeholder Negotiations Underway

Crystal Palace shareholder John Textor is in discussions regarding the potential sale of his shares in the club, an action that could facilitate the team’s participation in the Europa League for the next season.

Reports indicate that Woody Johnson, the owner of the NFL’s New York Jets, is interested in acquiring Textor’s stake, as per sources from BBC Sport.

Implications for Europa League Participation

Crystal Palace has been engaged in talks with UEFA to seek permission to participate in the upcoming competition, with an announcement likely to be made by the end of the month. UEFA regulations prevent individuals from having control over more than one club in the same tournament to avoid any conflicts of interest.

Current Ownership Structure

• Eagle Football, the multi-club group led by Textor, has a substantial interest in Crystal Palace, holding a 43% stake.
• Simultaneously, Eagle Football maintains a majority ownership in the French club Lyon, another team set to compete in the Europa League.

Crystal Palace’s management is asserting that Textor does not have overwhelming control over the club, an argument that they presented during last week’s meeting with UEFA officials in Switzerland.

Potential Outcomes of the Sale

If Textor proceeds with selling his shares in Eagle Football, it could pave the way for Crystal Palace to secure their spot in the Europa League without breaching UEFA guidelines.

Woody Johnson, who visited Selhurst Park last season, is known for his previous support of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. There were past suggestions that he might relinquish his chairmanship of the Jets to take on a diplomatic role, akin to the one he held during Trump’s first term as an ambassador to the United Kingdom.

The New York Jets and Crystal Palace have been contacted for their comments regarding the developments.

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