Football visionary Woody Johnson seeks a new sport to conquer

Football visionary Woody Johnson seeks a new sport to conquer
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Will the owner add a new team to his portfolio?

Few people in professional sports have proven themselves to be less competent at running a sports franchise in modern times than Jets owner Woody Johnson. His chronic mismanagement of the Jets doesn’t seem to be deterring him from expanding his sports empire, however. Johnson has put in a bid for English football club Crystal Palace.

Woody Johnson, the owner of the NFL’s New York Jets, is in talks over a £200 million ($272m) investment in Crystal Palace, sources told ESPN — a deal that could clear the path for the FA Cup winners to participate in next season’s UEFA Europa League.

Reports suggest this hypothetical purchase would not give Johnson control over the team if it goes through. Crystal Palace supporters might breathe a sigh of relief over that.

Still, you can’t imagine Johnson having any role with a sports team would be good news for that team.

Would a stake in a soccer team distract Johnson sufficiently to keep him away from Jets business? It’s tough to say, but fans could hope.