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Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze and Chris Richards celebrate their side's second goal against ... More Tottenham on May 11, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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As Crystal Palace prepares for an FA Cup final that could see the south London club win a major trophy for the first time in its history, the team’s co-owners are reportedly engaged in a boardroom battle for control.
American businessman John Textor, who already owns 45% of Crystal Palace through his investment fund Eagle Football, has been sounding out his fellow co-owners David Blitzer and Josh Harris about buying their stakes in Palace, according to a report in the Guardian newspaper. If the trio can reach an agreement, Textor’s stake in the club could increase to more than 80%, giving him the power to complete a full takeover.
But the Guardian’s report also said Textor’s bid for control faces competition from Robert "Woody" Johnson, the co-owner of the NFL’s New York Jets and a former ambassador to the U.K. As heir to the Johnson & Johnson family fortune, Forbes estimates that he’s worth $3.4 billion.
Johnson was spotted in the stands at the City Ground last week, when Palace drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest. The American billionaire had earlier sought to buy Chelsea, but his bid was eclipsed by the £4.25 billion ($5.4 billion) offer from billionaire Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in 2022.
Johnson is said to have already held talks with Palace Chairman Steve Parish about buying up the shares currently held by Textor and the other investors. Parish, who maintains a 10% stake in Palace, has effectively had day-to-day control of the club since 2010, when he saved it from liquidation.
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