‘Crystal Palace takeover expected to go through as Steve Parish exit decision likely’
Crystal Palace could be set for an imminent takeover after a long-running battle for power at Selhurst Park involving major shareholder John Textor.
According to The Guardian (9 May), Textor is attempting an audacious takeover at Palace but faces competition from New York Jets co-owner Woody Johnson.
Textor already owns a 45% stake at Selhurst Park but David Blitzer, Josh Harris and Steve Parish are in control of footballing operations.
Johnson, who previously made a bid to buy Chelsea, is the United States’ former ambassador to the UK and co-owns NFL side New York Jets.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted he expects Johnson to beat out Textor if he can make a “serious cash offer”.
Johnson should keep Parish in place at Crystal Palace, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted Johnson would be best-advised to keep current chairman Steve Parish at the club.
Parish saved Crystal Palace from liquidation in 2010 and announced stadium expansion plans for the club in 2017 – which are yet to come to fruition.
Wyness insisted Johnson would be preferred to Textor in the ranks of the Palace fans.
| Season | League Finish |
| 2024-25 | 12th (season not over) |
| 2023-24 | 10th |
| 2022-23 | 11th |
| 2021-22 | 12th |
| 2020-21 | 14th |
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Apparently Woody Johnson was at the game with Parish last week.
“It could turn out that he is a bit of a white knight in this takeover process.
“I do think Johnson has access to the cash, whereas Textor may not.
“If he is able to get the right deal, he could acquire Blitzer and Harris’ shares and become the majority owner as a friend to Parish, who owns 10%.
“I think he’d be advised to keep Parish on during any transition period, although he could get rid of him.
“Parish knows the club. Palace are on the verge of a cup final, they’re an exciting team with some great young talent.
“Croydon has proven to be a huge football factory of young talent.
“If Woody Johnson can make a serious cash offer, I expect that to go through.
“He’s a former ambassador to the UK, he’ll have some great contacts in high places. It would make sense. I think the Palace fans would prefer him to Textor.”
Crystal Palace get £10m cash injection
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (15 May) that Crystal Palace have received a £10million injection from their owners in the form of a new share issue.
As per a Companies House submission on Tuesday (13 May), Palace’s parent company Palace Holdco UK Limited has issued 56,577 A2 ordinary shares.
Each share was purchased at £177, taking the total investment to £10million.
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