New York Jets owner Woody Johnson’s future in New York is clouded by Donald Trump’s election win
Could Donald Trump’s second term in the White House offer New York Jets fans another reprieve from struggling owner Woody Johnson?
The 77-year-old billionaire Trump donor and Johnson & Johnson heir served as U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom for nearly three years during the Republican’s first term. Johnson’s younger brother, Christopher, took over the team at that time as the Jets continued to struggle.
A team spokesperson declined to discuss the owner’s political and professional plans for Trump’s second term, though speculation continues that Johnson could serve the administration in some capacity.
As reported by the New York PostMany within the organization are wondering whether the owner will take a second sabbatical to work for Trump.
Robert Kraft, Woody Johnson and Brick Johnson talk before a Patriots-Jets game
The 77-year-old billionaire Trump donor and Johnson & Johnson heir served as U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom for nearly three years during the Republican’s first term.
Johnson purchased the team in 2000 and initially enjoyed some success with head coaches Herm Edwards, Eric Mangini and Rex Ryan, who led the Jets to seven playoff berths during his first decade at the helm.
But New York has now gone 13 seasons without a postseason return, and at 3-6, it seems unlikely that the current Jets will reach the playoffs again.
Recently, Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh after back-to-back losses last month. That decision drew criticism from Bill Belichick, who defected from the Jets to the New England Patriots after one day in 2000.
“Yeah, well see, that’s kind of what it was there with the Jets,” Belichick told Eli and Peyton Manning on ESPN last month. ‘They have barely gained more than 30 percent in the last ten years. The owner is the owner, just ready, shoot, aim.’
Likewise, fans haven’t been shy about criticizing Johnson at MetLife Stadium. There were even chants of “sell the team” during Thursday’s win over the visiting Houston Texans.
Lindsay Reynolds, Chief of Staff to US First Lady Melania Trump and Woody Johnson, US Ambassador to Great Britain stand on a balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2019
Johnson’s time as US ambassador to Britain was not without controversy.
According to a New York Times report, he was reportedly asked by Trump to help him bring the British Open to one of his courses. Johnson was ultimately unsuccessful, but was nevertheless widely criticized.
“It’s diplomatic malpractice because once you do that, you put yourself in a compromised position,” Norman L. Eisen, President Barack Obama’s ambassador to the Czech Republic, told The New York Times in 2021. “They can always say, ‘Remember that time you made that suggestion.’
“No experienced diplomat would do that.”
Johnson also faced criticism over reports that he regularly complimented the appearance of female staffers and reportedly asked if a potential hire was Jewish.
Several complaints were filed within the Office of the Inspector General in the fall of 2020, although the State Department did not comment on the specific allegations.
“We stand with Ambassador Johnson and look forward to him continuing to ensure that our special relationship with Great Britain is strong,” the ministry said in a statement.