Textor’s Stake Sale
American billionaire John Textor has sold his 42.9% stake in Crystal Palace to controversial tycoon Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets, for approximately £200m, pending Premier League approval. The move, announced on June 23, 2025, aims to ensure Palace’s participation in the 2025/26 Europa League by addressing UEFA’s multi-club ownership regulations. Textor’s ownership of a 77% stake in Ligue 1 club Lyon, also qualified for the Europa League, had put Palace at risk of expulsion due to UEFA’s rule prohibiting multiple clubs under the same owner from competing in the same tournament.
UEFA Compliance Issue
Palace, who qualified for the Europa League via their 2025 FA Cup victory despite finishing 12th in the Premier League, faced scrutiny for breaching UEFA’s March 1 deadline to restructure shareholdings. Lyon, finishing sixth in Ligue 1, held priority under UEFA rules, which favor higher domestic league finishes in multi-club conflicts. Palace argued their FA Cup triumph was merit-based, not reliant on a multi-club model, and deemed expulsion disproportionate. Nottingham Forest raised concerns to UEFA about Palace’s ownership structure, noting Textor’s 25% voting rights. The sale to Johnson, expected to receive UEFA approval within days, resolves the issue, allowing Palace to compete in their first-ever European campaign.
Impact on Crystal Palace
The transaction removes Textor’s influence from Palace, ending his three-year involvement since acquiring a stake in 2022. Johnson, a polarizing figure due to reported dysfunctional practices at the New York Jets, becomes a major shareholder, joining chairman Steve Parish and co-owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer. Palace’s Europa League campaign, starting September 18, 2025, against Anderlecht, remains secure, boosting their £15m prize money prospects. The club’s transfer plans, including interest in Lyon’s Malick Fofana and retaining Cole Palmer, gain clarity, though fans on X express mixed feelings about Johnson’s controversial reputation.
What’s Next?
UEFA’s verdict, expected by June 30, 2025, will confirm Palace’s Europa League status. The Premier League’s approval of Johnson’s stake purchase, typically a formality, is crucial before the transfer window closes on September 1. Palace, under Graham Potter, aim to build on their FA Cup success, with key players like Eberechi Eze (12 goals in 2024/25) central to their European ambitions. Textor, now focused on Lyon and his 45% stake in Botafogo, may pursue further investments, while Palace’s Premier League opener against Chelsea on August 17, 2025, looms as a test of their revamped structure.
