New York Jets co-owner Johnson buys stake in Crystal Palace
FILE PHOTO: Jan 27, 2025; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets owner Woody Johnson speaks during an introductory press conference at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images REUTERS
New York Jets co-owner Robert Wood "Woody" Johnson has signed a legally binding agreement to buy Eagle Football Holding's stake in Crystal Palace, the Premier League club said on Monday
The deal is subject to approval from the Premier League and the Women's Super League with British media reporting it to be worth close to 190 million pounds ($254.39 million).
"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," Palace said in a statement.
Johnson, former U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom, is set to become a partner and director at Palace. The 78-year-old is one of the heirs of the Johnson family that founded the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical company.
British media reported that Johnson purchased a 43% stake in Palace from Eagle Football Holdings, the multi-club company led by American businessman John Textor, who also has stakes in Ligue 1's Olympique Lyonnais and Brazil's Botafogo.
Palace, who qualified for the Europa League by winning last season's FA Cup, have now addressed the risk of losing their spot due to former stakeholder Textor's ties to Lyon, another qualifier, as European soccer's governing body UEFA bars clubs under the same ownership from competing in the same competition.
"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," the south London-based club said.
Textor bought the stake for about 90 million pounds in August 2021. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Italian Lisci takes Osasuna helm
Osasuna have appointed Alessio Lisci as their new head coach, the LaLiga club announced on Monday. The club announced Lisci as their new head coach on a two-year contract, luring him away from Segunda Division side Mirandes where he had engineered an against-the-odds run to the promotion play-off finals. The appointment ends weeks of speculation about Vicente Moreno's successor. Moreno announced he would be leaving the club last month after being in charge for a year. Lisci inherits a side that have firmly established themselves in Spain's top tier, with Osasuna narrowly missing out on European qualification after securing a respectable ninth place finish this season. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
British, Singapore airlines halt Gulf flights after Iran strike
Singapore Airlines warned that other flights between Singapore and the emirates may be affected 'as the situation remains fluid.' PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO British Airways and Singapore Airlines cancelled flights to the Persian Gulf, increasing aviation disruptions in the region after the US struck three nuclear sites in Iran and Tehran vowed to retaliate. London-based British Airways carrier cancelled several flights to Dubai and diverted two planes bound for the emirate overnight, according to data from Flightradar24. One flight took off from Heathrow Airport June 21 night and was diverted to Zurich after it reached Saudi Arabia's airspace in the early hours of June 22, according to the flight tracking site. Another Dubai-bound jet returned to Heathrow after going as far as Egypt. The carrier also cancelled flights to Qatar's capital Doha on June 22 and halted routes to Bahrain through the end of the month due to operational constraints and airspace restrictions. British Airways said it has adjusted its flight schedule as a result of recent events to ensure the safety of customers and crew. Singapore Airlines said on June 22 it cancelled two flights between Singapore and Dubai, warning in an advisory that other flights between the South-east Asian country and the emirates may be affected 'as the situation remains fluid.' Several American and European airlines paused flights to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar last week after Israel started bombarding Iran. The moves highlight growing worries in a slice of the Middle East that is typically considered safe and sheltered from regional dislocations. US President Donald Trump said American bombers struck Iran's three main nuclear sites on June 22 and threatened more attacks if Tehran doesn't capitulate, pulling the US directly into the country's conflict with Israel despite his longtime promises to avoid new wars. Iran has threatened to hit US bases in the Persian Gulf if Washington gets involved and close down the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil trade waterway it borders with the UAE and Oman. Qatar hosts the largest US base in the region, while Bahrain is home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet. Bahrain said on June 22 that it is activating remote work for 70 per cent of all government ministries and departments in light of regional developments. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
US announces up to $5 million reward for information on Afghan-American taken by Taliban
US announces up to $5 million reward for information on Afghan-American taken by Taliban WASHINGTON - The U.S. on Monday announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the location and release of Mahmoud Habibi, an Afghan-American businessman who was detained by the Taliban's intelligence service on August 10, 2022. A former civil aviation chief under Afghanistan's ousted Western-backed government, Habibi and his driver were seized along with 29 other employees of the Kabul telecommunications firm for which he worked, said a State Department notice. All except Habibi and one other person were subsequently released. "Mr. Habibi has not been heard from since his initial arrest and the so-called Taliban government has yet to provide any information regarding his whereabouts or condition," said the notice issued by the department's Rewards for Justice program. "Rewards for Justice is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the location, recovery, and return of" Habibi, it said. The Taliban, who seized Kabul as the last U.S. troops pulled out in August 2021 after a 20-year war, deny holding Habibi. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
