In an unprecedented development for Crystal Palace, the squad’s co-owners, John Textor, David Blitzer, and Josh Harris, have sparked a highly competitive boardroom battle. Textor, who owns 45% of the club through his investment fund Eagle Football, is pursuing a bid to increase his stake in Palace to over 80%, giving him the authority to complete a full takeover. Meanwhile, Robert “Woody” Johnson, a prominent NFL co-owner with a net worth of over $3.4 billion, is competing with Textor for the remaining 20%. The report also noted that Johnson had brushing up on costs in redeveloping Palace’s home ground, which began in 2017 and is expected to triple the number of players on the pitch over the next three years.
Johnson, who has a personal connection to Palace and previously invested heavily in Chelsea, is seen as a serious potential purchaser of the club. However, his ties to the football industry have led to concerns over investment in higher than fair terms, including allegations of embezzlement by an American billionaire, Dan Friedkin. Johnson has reportedly left palace in the past, with claims that his heirs, who sought to acclimate to the new stadium, are probing his continued involvement.
The financial landscape of Palace is also shaping up to be one of the most significant for years, given the project’s estimated $2 billion investment. Despite previous partnerships with Apollo Global Management, the Wall Street fiends, and other high-profile athletes, Palace is often reported as having struggled to compete effectively with Premier League sides like Arsenal and Chelsea. The project, which aims to transform Seltrust Park into a支球队-only venue with a new stadium and training center, is expected to boost the club’s fan base and future财政 revenue. Nevertheless, the development has been met with skepticism from palace, as fans have long prided themselves on the club’s connectivity and modernity.
In contrast, Harris and Blitzer, both Wall Street financiers with extensive investments in the sporting world, embody a somewhat conflicting vision of what truly makes a club thriving. Harris, who owns an estimated $9.9 billion net worth, separates himself from Palace and operates as a tactical opportunities group at Blackstone. Blitzer, who operates at a similar scale as a formerumpteen-time manager of Blackstone, has a fortune of around $3.6 billion. Neither Harris nor Blitzer are directly involved in the redeveloped SelTrust Park, but their involvement suggests a broader demand for opportunities in the football and sports sectors.
Textor’s relatively steady investment in Palace has created tension over its future. Since 10 years, palace has maintained day-to-day control, including through Steve Parish, its chairman, who hasPG informed about the club’s progress despite the ongoing costs. However,/] could Textor’s ties to palace jeopardize his current position as theey believe Understanding the financials of Palace’s potential takeover has also raised questions about its future revenue generation. Meanwhile, the development of SelTrust Park is a magnet for high-profile investors, potentially笯 trailing fans by making the roost.
