Woody Johnson Joins Crystal Palace Ownership with 43% Stake

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Image Credit: Crystal Palace FC

Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson — co-owner of the New York Jets and former U.S. ambassador to the UK — has entered into a binding agreement to acquire a 43% share in Crystal Palace FC, according to a report by Reuters.

The stake is being purchased from Eagle Football Holdings, led by American investor John Textor.

The agreement remains subject to approval from the Premier League and the Women’s Super League, however, the club has indicated it does not expect any regulatory issues. UK media outlets estimate the value of the deal at approximately AUD 388 million.

Strategic Impact for Crystal Palace

The change in ownership is not just financially significant but strategically crucial. Crystal Palace recently secured qualification for the UEFA Europa League by winning the FA Cup against Manchester City. However, their participation was at risk due to UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules, as previous owner John Textor also holds a stake in Olympique Lyonnais — another Europa League participant.

By transferring his shares to Woody Johnson, Crystal Palace has removed potential regulatory conflicts related to dual club ownership under UEFA’s guidelines.

The club thanked Textor for his four-year involvement, stating:

“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.”

Who Is Woody Johnson?

At 78, Woody Johnson is a prominent figure in US business and politics. A member of the Johnson & Johnson founding family, he served as the US Ambassador to the UK from 2017 to 2021 and co-owns the NFL’s New York Jets. His entry into Premier League ownership highlights the growing influence of American investors in English football, joining a group of NFL-connected backers active in European sports.

Johnson previously attempted to buy Chelsea FC in 2022, though the bid was unsuccessful.

Textor’s Exit and Multi-Club Ownership Issues

Textor’s departure marks a key moment in the evolving landscape of multi-club ownership. His company, Eagle Football Holdings, owns stakes in Olympique Lyonnais (France), Botafogo (Brazil), and Molenbeek (Belgium).

Increasing scrutiny from UEFA, FIFA, and domestic leagues on multi-club ownership adds complexity to managing such cross-border portfolios. Textor bought his Palace stake in August 2021 for around $189 million and has now sold it at a significant profit.

Wider Market Context

Johnson’s investment continues the trend of growing American ownership in Premier League clubs, joining figures like:

  • Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital at Chelsea
  • Fenway Sports Group at Liverpool
  • The Glazer family at Manchester United
  • Josh Harris and David Blitzer, former Palace stakeholders

The deal also reflects rising valuations for mid-tier Premier League clubs, with Palace now valued at over $840 million — boosted by strong broadcast deals, European competition qualification, and Premier League status.

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AC Milan and Puma Unveil New 2026/27 Away Kit

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Image Credit: AC Milan S.p.A.
AC Milan and Puma have officially unveiled the clubs the new 2026/27 away kit, a timeless white kit that celebrates resilience, heritage and the winning mentality that has defined the Rossoneri for generations.

Inspired by the phrase “after Istanbul, there is always Athens” the kit pays tribute to AC Milan’s triumph in the 2007 Champions League Final in Athens following their defeat in Istanbul in 2005. The message printed on the back of the collar, reflects the club’s enduring spirit and serves as a reminder that every setback can become the foundation for future success.

Leading the campaign is club legend Filipo Inzaghi who scored two goals to lead AC Milan in the 2007 UEFA Champions League Final, embodying the determination, resilience and hunger that continues to define AC Milan’s identity.

Every detail on this years away kit reinforces this story. Gold accents and a laurel wrapped club crest celebrates a storied history of success, while the authentic version features the Greek inscription “Δύναμη Ψυχής” (“Strength of Spirit”) inside the collar. A subtle phoenix wing woven into the fabric symbolises renewal, resilience and the Club’s commitment to continually rising to new challenges.

The authentic jersey is engineered with PUMA’s advanced ULTRAWEAVE fabric, complemented by dryCELL and ThermoAdapt technologies to deliver lightweight feel and optimal performance. The replica version brings the same identity combining the same striking design with everyday wearability and is made with RE technology, incorporating 95% recycled polyester sourced from textile waste.

The new AC Milan 2026/27 Away Kit is available now through AC Milan Official Stores, the Club’s online store, PUMA and selected retailers worldwide.

Football NSW builds life‑saving network as cardiac safety push expands

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Image Credit: Football NSW

Football NSW has distributed 20 defibrillators to associations and regional clubs through its Every Beat Matters campaign, part of a broader push to improve cardiac emergency preparedness across the state’s football network.

Sixteen of the devices were presented to participating associations at the inaugural Football NSW Association Championships in Mudgee. A further four went to regional clubs: Cowra and District Soccer Club, Westside Panthers, Yerrinbool Bargo Soccer Club and Narooma Football Club.

The rollout builds on the Heartbeat of Sport AED Mapping Project, which is mapping defibrillator placement at sporting facilities across NSW with funding from the Minns Labor Government. Twelve football associations have joined the effort, including Eastern Suburbs, Manly Warringah, Granville, Southern Districts, Nepean, Northern Suburbs, Football Canterbury, Bankstown, Hills, Sutherland Shire, North West Sydney Football and Football South Coast.

Data collected through the mapping project is being fed into NSW Ambulance’s GoodSAM emergency response system and NSW Health’s public AED map, enabling first responders to locate nearby defibrillators in real time.

The initiative responds to a gap that had gone largely unexamined. More than 2,400 defibrillators have been deployed across NSW sports facilities through the Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program, which offers grants of up to $3,000 to eligible organisations. But a device not registered in emergency response systems provides significantly less value than one that is accurately mapped and immediately locatable.

The urgency is not abstract. At Doyalson Wyee Football Club, a 70‑year‑old player survived a sudden on‑field cardiac arrest because an AED was available on site. Survival rates drop by about 10 per cent for every minute without defibrillation.

Football NSW is also establishing a long‑term defibrillator register to track equipment distribution, access and maintenance across all 636 clubs and 31 associations. The Every Beat Matters campaign, supported by Toyota and St John Ambulance, aims to raise about $240,000 through a raffle to fund an initial rollout of 65 defibrillators to clubs currently without access, prioritising regional and lower socio‑economic areas.

The #HeartHealthMatters Program is delivering CPR and AED familiarisation training to sporting organisations, with a particular focus on regional communities where ambulance response times are often longer and volunteer bases smaller.

The ambition, in the words of project organisers, is straightforward: that no preventable death occurs on a football ground because the right equipment was not there, or could not be found.

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