John Textor, the American businessman and entrepreneur, has become an increasingly prominent figure in the world of football. As we move through 2025, his influence through Eagle Football Holdings continues to shape the landscape of several clubs across Europe and South America.
Who is John Textor? A Background
Born in 1965, John Textor has a diverse background spanning technology, media, and entertainment. He was a pioneer in developing digital distribution models for media and entertainment and has a history of involvement with various internet-based ventures. Before his significant foray into football, Textor served as the Executive Chairman of Facebank Group, Inc., which later acquired fuboTV, a streaming television service focused on live sports. Although he has since stepped down from his executive role at fuboTV, his entrepreneurial spirit and ambition have clearly transitioned into the realm of football club ownership.
Textor’s journey into sports investment began with a stake in Crystal Palace FC in 2021. This marked the foundation of his multi-club ownership model, which has since expanded to include significant shares in Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon, France), Botafogo Futebol Clube (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), and RWD Molenbeek (Brussels, Belgium), all under the umbrella of Eagle Football Holdings Limited, where he serves as the majority owner and chairman.
Eagle Football Holdings: The Core of Textor’s Vision
Eagle Football Holdings is the entity through which John Textor manages his stakes in the aforementioned football clubs. His strategy revolves around creating a synergistic network of clubs that can benefit from shared resources, talent development, and strategic player transfers. Textor has openly spoken about his belief in this multi-club model as a way for clubs to compete more effectively against those with seemingly unlimited financial resources.
As of early 2025, Eagle Football Holdings has been actively managing its portfolio of clubs, navigating financial regulations, and implementing Textor’s vision for on-field success and sustainable growth. Recent financial updates from Eagle Football Group in January 2025 highlighted significant cash infusions and player movements within the group, demonstrating the active management and strategic direction being undertaken. The group reported a total revenue increase of 25% for the financial year ending June 2024, alongside improvements in EBITDA and net income, indicating a positive financial trajectory for the holding company.
Crystal Palace FC: Navigating Ownership Dynamics
John Textor acquired a significant stake in Crystal Palace in 2021, becoming a co-owner alongside Steve Parish, Josh Harris, and David Blitzer. While Eagle Football Holdings holds the largest single share in the club (approximately 45% as of April 2025), voting rights are equally distributed among the four general partners. This structure has, at times, led to discussions about Textor’s influence and future plans for the club.
In 2024, Textor publicly stated his openness to selling his stake in Crystal Palace, reportedly to pursue a potential acquisition of Everton FC. Although the Everton deal did not materialize with Textor at the helm, the possibility of a sale of his Crystal Palace shares has remained a topic of discussion.
As of early 2025, there were reports of a US-Saudi backed consortium entering an exclusivity agreement to potentially buy Eagle Football’s 45% stake in Crystal Palace. This group reportedly includes figures like Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd. However, alongside this, there were also reports of interest from Sportsbank, a London-based company, as a preferred bidder by Textor, potentially involving an investment into Eagle Football Holdings rather than a direct purchase of the Palace stake. As of mid-April 2025, the situation remains somewhat fluid, with discussions ongoing regarding the future ownership structure at Crystal Palace.
Selhurst Park Redevelopment: A Key Project
One significant ongoing project at Crystal Palace is the redevelopment of the Main Stand at Selhurst Park. Planning permission for the ambitious project was initially granted several years ago, and the club has been progressing through the necessary stages. As of December 2024 and April 2025 updates, the club reiterated its intention to begin construction work in mid-2025, following the conclusion of the current football season.
However, recent reports indicate that the estimated costs for the new stand have significantly increased, now potentially reaching £200 million, a substantial rise from the initial projections. This increase is attributed to rising construction material costs and other economic factors. The new stand is expected to increase Selhurst Park’s capacity from approximately 25,486 to over 34,000 and include enhanced facilities, such as improved hospitality areas, a new club shop, and a museum.
The uncertainty surrounding Textor’s stake in the club adds a layer of complexity to the funding of this major redevelopment project, as all four general partners would likely need to contribute to any capital raise. Despite this, Crystal Palace remains confident in securing the necessary funding to proceed with the expansion.
Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon): Challenges and Ambitions
John Textor’s acquisition of a majority stake in Olympique Lyonnais in 2022 brought with it significant ambitions for the French club. Lyon is a historic powerhouse in French football, with multiple league titles and European successes in its past. However, the club has faced challenges in recent years, and Textor’s arrival was intended to inject new investment and strategic direction.
Since taking over, Textor has been actively involved in the club’s operations, including managerial appointments and player transfers. There have been reports of financial monitoring by the DNCG (the French football’s financial watchdog), which has imposed certain restrictions on Lyon’s spending. Textor has been vocal about these regulations and their impact on the club’s ability to compete with clubs like Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), which benefit from significant external investment.
In early 2025, Textor publicly criticized the financial model of PSG, suggesting it was “illegal” and distorted competition within Ligue 1. He has positioned his multi-club ownership model as a legitimate and sustainable alternative. Despite the financial constraints, Textor has reiterated his ambition for Lyon to compete at the highest level, including aiming for Champions League qualification and eventually winning the competition.
Botafogo: Expansion in South America
John Textor’s investment in Botafogo Futebol Clube in Brazil represents a significant expansion of his multi-club model into South American football. Botafogo is a club with a rich history and passionate fanbase in Brazil. Textor’s involvement has been aimed at revitalizing the club’s on-field performance and infrastructure.
Eagle Football Holdings has facilitated player transfers to and from Botafogo, showcasing the intended synergy within the group. The loan signing of Thiago Almada from Botafogo to one of the European clubs within the network in early 2025 exemplifies this strategy of providing opportunities for talent development and exposure across different leagues.
Textor has also been involved in broader discussions regarding the governance of Brazilian football, expressing his support for greater transparency and the fight against match manipulation. His comments on the Brazilian football confederation (CBF) elections in early 2025 highlighted his desire to see Brazil reclaim its position as a global leader in football through improved governance and a focus on the development of the game.
RWD Molenbeek: Building in Belgium
RWD Molenbeek, based in Brussels, Belgium, is the fourth club under the Eagle Football Holdings umbrella. Textor’s investment in Molenbeek is part of his strategy to establish a presence in different European leagues, providing further opportunities for player development and strategic partnerships.
Molenbeek offers a platform for young talents within the Eagle Football group to gain experience in a competitive European league, potentially serving as a stepping stone to the larger clubs in the network like Lyon or Crystal Palace. Textor’s long-term vision includes developing Molenbeek into a sustainable and competitive club in Belgian football.
Controversies and Fan Opinions
At Crystal Palace, early in his tenure, some fans expressed concerns about American ownership and the direction of the club, leading to protest banners. Textor responded directly to these concerns, emphasizing his support for the club and his role in facilitating improvements, such as the academy development and player acquisitions.
In Lyon, Textor’s criticism of PSG and the DNCG regulations has resonated with some fans who feel the club has been unfairly disadvantaged. However, financial scrutiny and on-field performance continue to be key factors shaping fan sentiment. The managerial changes have also been a subject of discussion among Lyon supporters, with opinions varying on the strategic direction.
The concept of multi-club ownership itself has its proponents and detractors within the football community. Supporters of the model point to the potential for enhanced player development, shared resources, and increased competitiveness. Critics, however, raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest, the movement of players primarily benefiting the owning group rather than individual clubs, and the risk of clubs becoming feeder teams for others within the network.
Textor has actively engaged with fan groups and used social media and club statements to communicate his vision and address concerns. His emphasis on creating a “family of clubs” that work together strategically aims to assuage fears of certain clubs being prioritized over others.
John Textor’s Net Worth and Business Ventures Beyond Football
While his footballing ventures have garnered significant attention, John Textor’s business interests extend beyond the sport. His estimated net worth as of April 2025 is reported to be at least $22 million, primarily linked to his remaining shares in fuboTV.
His career history showcases a diverse range of entrepreneurial activities, including involvement in visual effects for major Hollywood films, internet startups, and digital human technology. Notably, he was a co-chairman of Digital Domain, a visual effects company, and founded Wyndcrest Holdings, a private holding company focused on technology-related opportunities. His work in creating early internet-based multi-user virtual reality environments and his pioneering efforts in developing digital human likenesses highlight his innovative background.
Textor’s current focus, however, appears heavily weighted towards realizing the potential of his multi-club football ownership model. He views this as a mission of “far-reaching importance,” aiming to create a sustainable and competitive ecosystem within the global football landscape.
The Future of John Textor in Football
As we look ahead in 2025, John Textor’s influence on the football clubs under Eagle Football Holdings is set to continue. The potential sale of his stake in Crystal Palace could lead to a significant shift in the ownership structure of the Premier League club, while his ambitions for Lyon to challenge the dominance of PSG will likely continue to drive strategic decisions in France.
His vision for a collaborative network of clubs, sharing talent and resources, will be further tested as the seasons progress. The success of this model will depend on the on-field performance and sustainable growth of each club within the group, as well as the ability to navigate financial regulations and fan expectations in different footballing cultures.
FAQs
Who is John Textor?
John Textor is an American businessman and entrepreneur with a background in technology, media, and entertainment. He is best known in the footballing world as the majority owner and chairman of Eagle Football Holdings Limited, a group that owns stakes in several football clubs across Europe and South America. He was also previously involved with fuboTV.
What is Eagle Football Holdings?
Eagle Football Holdings Limited is the company founded by John Textor that serves as the umbrella organization for his investments in various football clubs. The aim is to create a synergistic network of clubs that can benefit from shared resources, talent development, and strategic player transfers.
What is the current situation with John Textor and Crystal Palace?
As of April 2025, John Textor holds approximately a 45% stake in Crystal Palace FC. There have been ongoing discussions and reports about the potential sale of his shares. Initially, he expressed interest in acquiring Everton FC, which did not materialize. More recently, reports suggest interest from a US-Saudi backed consortium and Sportsbank in acquiring Eagle Football’s stake. The situation remains fluid, with negotiations and due diligence likely underway.
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