Jets Owner Woody Johnson May Have Cost Himself Millions of Dollars
Through the last two decades, Woody Johnson has held ownership control of the New York Jets. That has seen the franchise go through tough times while things haven’t shifted toward a positive direction. It has created much strong negative feedback from the franchise’s passionate fan base over the years. Johnson may have just put himself in a troubling situation that could see him handed down some stiff punishment from the NFL.
Woody Johnson’s tenure as Jets owner
Woody Johnson resides as the Jets owner since January 2000 when he purchased the team for $635 million.
That was the third-highest price tag for any professional team and the largest for a New York franchise. His offer outbid the $612 million offer from Charles Dolan, who owns the Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks, and New York Rangers. The franchise was purchased for more than $100 above the estimated value at that time.
According to Forbes, the Jets are valued at around $3.2 billion, which is the eighth-highest in the NFL. The team garners $115 million annually in revenue. The franchise hasn’t maintained consistent success under him, which has led to consistent criticism thrown his way. Johnson continues to hold control of the franchise, but that could see things shift a bit with his recent troubling actions.
Woody Johnson in hot water over racist and sexist comments
Throughout the last couple of years, Woody Johnson has held the position of being the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
The 73-year-old has put himself in a tight spot after reports surfaced from CNN that allegations he made racist and sexist comments on Wednesday.
The billionaire NFL owner who serves as President Donald Trump’s ambassador to the United Kingdom was investigated by the State Department watchdog after allegations that he made racist and sexist comments to staff and sought to use his government position to benefit the President’s personal business in the UK, multiple sources told CNN.
Johnson has served in that role since August 2017, but his recent actions have caused a significant stir. He reportedly made “racist generalizations about Black men and questioned and questioned why the Black community celebrates Black History Month.”
He is also allegedly voiced strange and inappropriate comments to women as well as it being a “struggle” for him to do an event for International Women’s Day. Johnson quickly took to Twitter to deny these claims against him. That said, it’s hard to imagine that this situation won’t have a significant impact on his standing with the NFL.
NFL punishment ahead?
Much still needs to unravel from the entire situation, but it’s clear that Woody Johnson has put himself in hot water.
The NFL could likely conduct their investigation into the matter to draw their conclusion over any possible punishment. Although it’s a situation that doesn’t have any dealings with the league, Johnson is part of the league’s representation as one of the 30 owners. That puts a significant responsibility on each of them to keep a healthy and positive image for the NFL.
The league has become aware of the report from CNN while they requested a comment from the Jets. Meanwhile, star safety Jamal Adams, looking for a long-term extension with the franchise, took to Twitter to voice his frustrations stating, “We need the RIGHT people at the top. Wrong is wrong!”
All of that makes it hard to envision the NFL not looking more into the matter to levy down punishment to Johnson that could see him lose out on millions of dollars or possibly much more. There should be much more to come on this front in the coming days and weeks.
