Woody Johnson
Woody Johnson | |
---|---|
United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom | |
In office November 8, 2017 – January 20, 2021 | |
President | Donald Trump |
Preceded by | Matthew Barzun |
Succeeded by | Jane D. Hartley |
Personal details | |
Born | Robert Wood Johnson IV April 12, 1947 New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouses | Nancy Sale
(m. 1977; div. 2001)Suzanne Ircha (m. 2009) |
Children | 5 |
Parent(s) | Bobby Johnson Betty Wold |
Relatives | Christopher Johnson (brother) |
Education | University of Arizona (BA) |
Robert Wood Johnson IV (born April 12, 1947) is an American businessman who was the
A longtime
Early life and education
Johnson was born in
Career
The Johnson Company, Inc
Johnson was the chairman and chief executive of The Johnson Company, Inc., a private investment firm.
Johnson was the committee president of the Pre-Commissioning Unit for the San Antonio-class ship USS New York (LPD-21).[9]
Sports
In January 2000, Johnson purchased the New York Jets for $635 million, at the time the third-highest price for a professional sports team and the highest for a New York professional sports team.[10] Johnson outbid the offer of $612 million placed by Charles Dolan, the owner of the Madison Square Garden, New York Knicks, and New York Rangers.[10][11] Forbes valued the team at $3.2 billion as of September 2019.[12]
After buying the Jets, Johnson announced plans to move them to the proposed West Side Stadium in Manhattan. However, after the project's defeat in 2005, Johnson announced the Jets would move to a new Meadowlands Stadium as an equal partner with the New York Giants. The new stadium opened on April 10, 2010, with naming rights being acquired by MetLife.
Johnson was a member of the eight-man NFL search committee to choose a successor to
Johnson's brother Christopher took over as CEO and acting owner in 2017, while Johnson was U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom.[15] In 2021, after returning to the U.S., Woody Johnson returned as Jets chairman, while Christopher Johnson became vice-chairman.[16][17]
In June 2021, Johnson stated his excitement to work with coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas, whom he praised.[18] He expressed optimism about putting together a winning team in 2021, after the Jets had experienced setbacks during his absence.[19]
In January 2023, Johnson said that he felt the "missing piece" in the team's current lineup was a strong quarterback, citing the team's strong defense but weaker offense.[20] Around that time, Johnson began courting four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers,[21] telling ESPN that "you want the best possible QB that you can get to lead the Jets".[22] The Jets also hired offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, whom Rodgers has a strong rapport with.[23] On April 24, 2023 it was reported that the Jets were finalizing a trade deal for Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers.[24]
In March 2022, Johnson made a £2 billion bid to purchase Chelsea F.C. from sanctioned billionaire Roman Abramovich.[25][26] He became a fan of the football team while serving as US Ambassador to the United Kingdom.[27] His knowledge of London and sports management was expected to give him an edge over Saudi Media Group, another party interested in buying the team.[28] On March 25, it was reported that he was no longer in the bidding for Chelsea F.C.[29]
Net worth
Johnson is a billionaire,[30][6] As a fourth-generation descendant of one of the founders of the Johnson & Johnson company, he is one of the heirs of the Johnson family fortune.[6][a] In a 2017 financial disclosure form, Johnson listed his net worth at $4.2 billion, with most of his wealth tied to his ownership of the Jets and its stadium; he also reported owning at least 1.56 million J&J shares (a stake then valued at more than $50 million).[31] As of April 2024, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index placed his net worth at an estimated $9.92 billion.[6]
Political activities before 2016
By the year 2000, Johnson had given more than $1 million to various Republican candidates and committees. Between 1997 and 1998, he donated $130,000 to the Republican Party, along with donating $22,583 to George W. Bush's 1998 gubernatorial re-election campaign of Texas. He was later a major New York fundraiser for Bush's 2000 presidential campaign.[32]
In May 2008, he orchestrated a fundraiser in New York City that brought in $7 million in a single evening for
By 2016, Johnson had known
Johnson had by August 2019 donated $1.5 million to
On January 8, 2021, Johnson released a statement condemning the
Trump administration's ambassador to Britain
On January 19, 2017, President-elect
Following a hearing in the
In 2018, Johnson oversaw the relocation of the
Brexit
During Johnson's tenure, Britain withdrew from the EU. Johnson advocated for a bilateral US-UK trade deal post-Brexit, in line with President Trump's hopes during that time.[53] Johnson had a private dinner with Queen Elizabeth II at Winfield House on March 14, 2019, just two days after British Parliament rejected Theresa May's Brexit plan.[54]
In June 2019, he further stated that a post-Brexit deal between the US and the UK would cover "all things that are traded", including the National Health Service and agricultural sector.[55] In January 2020, Johnson stated that the US was never interested in the NHS, but reiterated American interest in a free-trade deal with the UK.[56]
Agriculture
Johnson advocated for closer agricultural trade between the US and UK, and the deregulation of US food exports to Britain.
Huawei
Johnson advised the UK government to ban Huawei from being used in the nation's 5G networks after departing Prime Minister Theresa May approved the company in early 2019.[62] Johnson said that Huawei could represent an economic and security risk, comparing it to "letting a kleptomaniac move into your house."[63] In 2020, after Britain decided to ban Huawei from its 5G mobile networks, Johnson welcomed the decision as a victory for human rights and fair trading practices.[64]
Allegations of "inappropriate or insensitive comments" to embassy staff
In 2020, Johnson was investigated by the State Department inspector general over allegations that he made sexist and racist comments to embassy staff. He had been reported to have held official meetings at men's-only clubs in London, which meant that female staff members would not be able to attend.[65][41] According to the New York Times, half a dozen current and former embassy employees said that Johnson made staff members uncomfortable by making remarks about their appearances or race.[66] One diplomat said he made disparaging remarks about Black History Month.[67]
The inspector general's report, issued in August 2020, found that Johnson "sometimes made inappropriate or insensitive comments on topics generally considered
In January 2021, following an investigation, S/OCR found that allegations that Johnson had violated Department policies on workplace harassment were "unsubstantiated."[70]
British Open at Trump Turnberry
In February 2018, Johnson as ambassador sought to have the lucrative
In a statement, the British government said that Johnson "made no request of Mr. Mundell regarding the British Open or any other sporting event"; the statement did not say whether Johnson had raised the subject of Turnberry.[1] Johnson did not deny the episode, saying only that he complied with "the ethical rules and requirements of my office"; Trump denied that he had ever spoken to Johnson "about Turnberry."[72] Lukens documented his concerns to State Department officials. Johnson forced out Lukens several months later, before the scheduled end of his tenure in London.[1] The report that Johnson used his position as ambassador to promote the president's personal business interests sparked an inquiry by the State Department inspector general's office.[41] In an interview in August 2020, Lukens said that the inspector general's report had halted without a public report being issued, which he considered unusual.[71]
Political activities after 2021
In 2023, Johnson gave at least $1 million to a
Personal life
In 1977, Johnson married former fashion model Nancy Sale Johnson. They had three children before divorcing in 2001. In early 2010, daughter Casey Johnson died of
In 2009, Johnson married Suzanne Ircha, a former actress and equities managing director at Sandler O'Neill & Partners.
Johnson has homes in
Philanthropy
Johnson is known for philanthropic contributions to medical research, especially for diabetes and lupus, two diseases affecting his family members. Johnson also lobbied to increase federal funding for research on the two conditions.[85] Johnson is also a trustee of the Robert Wood Johnson Jr. Charitable Trust[32] and was a trustee of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.[86]
Johnson was the chairman of the
Casey died of diabetic ketoacidosis in January 2010.[89] In a 2012 op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, Johnson urged Congress to approve long-term funding for the Special Diabetes Program.[90]
Johnson is the founding chairman of the
Ukraine
During the
In April 2022, the Jets pledged a $1 million donation to Ukraine, to be distributed to various organizations, including Plast Scouting USA and United24.[97][98][96]
Notes
- traded publicly in 1944. Robert Wood Johnson II (Woody Johnson's grandfather) continued to be chief executive until his retirement in 1963.[3]
References
- ^ ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ Richard Sandomir (January 12, 2000). "Philanthropist and Fan". The New York Times. Retrieved January 23, 2008.
Robert Wood Johnson IV, whose great-grandfather founded Johnson & Johnson, won the right yesterday to buy the Jets for $635 million, the third-highest price for a professional sports team and the most for one in New York.
- ^ a b Susan Warner, The Family Behind the Company, New York Times (April 10, 2005).
- ^ Wilson, Duff (November 11, 2004). "Behind the Jets, a Private Man Pushes His Dream". The New York Times. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
He grew up in affluent areas of New Jersey, attended the elite Millbrook School in the Hudson Valley and worked menial summer jobs at Johnson & Johnson with the expectation of ascending to the top of the family business.
- ^ Woody Johnson, New York Jets, Sports Illustrated (July 16, 2018)
- ^ a b c d "#318 Woody Johnson". Bloomberg Billionaires Index. March 26, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
- ^ Robert Wood Johnson IV, chairman and chief executive officer, Getty Images (August 1, 2006).
- ^ Birnbaum, Jeffrey H. (August 1, 2006). "Tax Shelters Saved Billionaires a Bundle". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Navy News Service – Eye on the Fleet". September 4, 2009. Archived from the original on September 4, 2009.
- ^ a b Richard Sandomir (January 12, 2000). "The Jets Fill One Opening: New Owner at $635 Million". The New York Times.
- ^ "Sale Johnson and Ahmad Rashad Get Married Monday". Transworldnews.com. November 21, 2007. Archived from the original on February 29, 2012.
- ^ "New York Jets Team Value". Forbes. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ Search Committee Selects Five Candidates to Succeed NFL Commission Paul Tagliabue, National Football League (July 30, 2006).
- ^ NFL's Goodell among five after commish job, Associated Press (July 30, 2006).
- ^ "Woody Johnson returning from London, will resume as Jets CEO". Newsday. January 22, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Woody Johnson to resume principal owner duties with New York Jets". ESPN.com. January 21, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Rapp, Timothy. "Woody Johnson Returning as Jets Chairman After Serving as US Ambassador". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Woody Johnson 'couldn't be more excited' about state of Jets after returning from ambassador term". NFL.com. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
- ^ "Woody Johnson says New York Jets lucky to have GM Joe Douglas, coach Robert Saleh". ESPN.com. June 16, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
- ^ "Jets owner Woody Johnson 'absolutely' willing to pay for veteran QB: 'That's kind of the missing piece'". CBSSports.com. January 12, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ "Jets owner Woody Johnson 'anxious' as anticipated Aaron Rodgers trade drags on: 'I'm not the patient sort'". CBSSports.com. March 28, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ Kasabian, Paul. "Jets' Woody Johnson Discusses Possible Aaron Rodgers Interest Amid Trade Rumors". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ Koons, Zach (February 10, 2023). "Jets Owner Woody Johnson Was Asked About Aaron Rodgers Rumors". Sports Illustrated.
- ^ "Packers agree to trade four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers to Jets". NFL.com. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ Debono, Matt (March 21, 2022). "Report: Woody Johnson makes 'big solo offer' for Chelsea as Raine review takeover offers". Sports Illustrated Chelsea FC News, Analysis and More. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
- ^ "Sources: New York Jets owner Woody Johnson interested in buying English Premier League club Chelsea". ESPN.com. March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
- ^ "New York Jets CEO Woody Johnson has mixed feelings about unsuccessful Chelsea bid". ESPN.com. March 28, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
- ^ Calcutt, Rob (March 16, 2022). "New York Jets Co-owner Woody Johnson Expected to Make £2BN Bid for Chelsea This Week". Sports Illustrated Chelsea FC News, Analysis and More. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
- ^ Slater, Matt. "Nick Candy and Woody Johnson out of race to buy Chelsea". The Athletic. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
- ^ Woody Johnson: Trump picks NFL tycoon as UK ambassador, BBC News (23 June 2017).
- ^ Jets Owner Woody Johnson Is Worth $4.2 Billion, Bloomberg (July 11, 2017).
- ^ ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ Luo, Michael (September 5, 2008). "Convention Limelight Shines on a Big Donor". The New York Times.
- ^ Haberman, Maggie (November 11, 2011). "Woody Johnson says Chris Christie's Mitt Romney endorsement a game-changer". Politico.
- ^ "GOP stars to headline party fundraiser". CNN. August 26, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Maggie Haberman (May 27, 2016). "Woody Johnson Takes On Role as Fund-Raiser for Donald Trump". The New York Times.
- ^ Reinhard, Beth; O'Connor, Patrick (June 24, 2015). "Jeb Bush Picks Woody Johnson as Finance Chairman". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- ^ a b Maggie Haberman (May 24, 2016). "Donald Trump Meets With Woody Johnson, Jets Owner and G.O.P. Fund-Raiser". The New York Times.
- ^ Cosentino, Dom (May 24, 2016). "Jets owner Woody Johnson backs Donald Trump, per reports". nj.com. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
- ^ Pramuk, Jacob; Schwartz, Brian (August 12, 2019). "Trump's money ties to NFL owners go much deeper than Dolphins' Stephen Ross". CNBC. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Jennifer Hansler; Kylie Atwood; Nicole Gaouette (July 22, 2020). "NFL owner and Trump ambassador to UK sparks watchdog probe over alleged racist and sexist remarks and a push to promote Trump business". CNN. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- ^ "Woody Johnson Calls Storming of Capitol, a 'Dark Day' for the U.S." WWD. January 8, 2021.
- ^ Borger, Julian (January 19, 2017). "New York Jets owner Woody Johnson to be US ambassador to UK". The Guardian. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
- ^ Schouten, Fredreka (May 17, 2017). "President Trump's ambassador picks sit in limbo". USA Today. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
- ^ "Woody Johnson nominated as US ambassador to Britain". The Guardian. June 22, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
- ^ a b "PN691 – Robert Wood Johnson IV – Department of State". Congress.gov. United States Congress. August 3, 2017.
- ^ Zurcher, Anthony (June 23, 2017). "Woody Johnson: Trump picks NFL tycoon as UK ambassador". BBC News. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
- ^ "Tracking how many key positions Trump has filled so far". The Washington Post. July 14, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- ^ Bieler, Des (August 3, 2017). "Jets owner Woody Johnson confirmed as ambassador to the U.K." The Washington Post. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
- ^ "Donald Trump's man in London presents credentials to Queen". Belfasttelegraph. November 8, 2017. Archived from the original on November 19, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
- ^ Onyanga-Omara, Jane. "New $1 billion U.S. Embassy in Britain: Things to know". USA TODAY. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
- ^ Onyanga-Omara, Jane. "New $1 billion U.S. Embassy in Britain: Things to know". USA TODAY. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
- ^ "Brexit: US ambassador to UK Johnson warns on trade deal". BBC News. December 31, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
- ^ Webster, Ashley (March 12, 2019). "Brexit dinner for Queen Elizabeth and Woody Johnson on the books: Report". FOXBusiness. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
- ^ "'If the British people like it, they can buy it'". BBC News. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
- ^ "US wants access to NHS in post-Brexit deal, says Trump ally". the Guardian. June 2, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
- ^ "Trump's UK ambassador hits out at US farming 'smears'". politico.eu. March 2, 2019.
- ^ a b "UK-US trade deal: Envoy attacks 'myths' about US farming". BBC News. March 2, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
- ^ a b Doward, Jamie (March 2, 2019). "US ambassador to UK under fire over defence of chlorinated chicken". The Guardian. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
- ^ Visram, Talib (August 26, 2020). "American chickens covered in chlorine have become a hot-button Brexit issue in Britain". Fast Company. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "US ambassador to UK slams critics of American agriculture". AP NEWS. March 2, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Huawei building UK 5G 'like letting a kleptomaniac into your house', US ambassador says". Sky News. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ UK's Huawei block protects its security, trade and rights-U.S. envoy, Reuters (July 14, 2020).
- ^ "US ambassador to UK denies making racist remarks". BBC News. July 23, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e
- Inspection of Embassy London and Constituent Posts, United Kingdom, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of State (August 2020)
- Lara Jakes & Mark Landler, Woody Johnson Asked State Dept. Auditors to Delete Claims of Offensive Remarks From Report, New York Times (August 12, 2020).
- Courtney McBride, Woody Johnson, U.S. Envoy to London, Made Insensitive Remarks, Watchdog Finds, Wall Street Journal (August 12, 2020).
- ^ "Woody Johnson back with Jets, believes team can be 'special'". Associated Press. June 16, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Trump's ambassador to UK cleared of making inappropriate comments about race and gender". The Independent. June 20, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
- ^ a b c Chris Ryan, Former U.S. official details Jets' Woody Johnson's request to have U.K. move British Open to Trump's resort, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com (August 6, 2020).
- ^ Peter Baker, Trump Denies Talking to Ambassador About Moving British Open to His Resort, New York Times (July 22, 2020).
- ^ "DeSantis-Allied PAC Tops Trump in Money Race With $131 Million". Bloomberg.com. July 31, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ Rebecca Davis O'Brien, Trump, Trailing Biden in Cash, Relies on Big Donors to Try to Catch Up, New York Times (April 15, 2024).
- ^ How Trump Is Scrambling to Raise Cash, New York Times (March 16, 2024).
- ^ "Coroner: Casey Johnson died of natural causes – CNN.com". CNN. February 4, 2010.
- ^ Halligan, Tom. "NY Jets' Woody Johnson Shares Insights At LCT Show East". LCT. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
- ^ "Wall Street firms vow to rebuild". USA Today. January 25, 2002.
- ^ "The Hollywood Gossip – Celebrity Gossip and Entertainment News". Bittenandbound.com. February 12, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
- ^ Grant Cumberbatch, Aimee (June 25, 2018). "Who Is Robert Wood 'Woody' Johnson? The U.S. Ambassador Is A Personal Friend Of Trump". Bustle. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- ^ Dennis Waszak Jr. (April 5, 2022). "Jets Owner and Wife Donating $1 Million to Aid Relief Efforts in Ukraine". Associated Press.
- ^ Chiari, Mike. "New York Jets to Wear Ukraine Flag Helmet Decals for Week 3 Game vs. Bengals". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
- ^ Sandomir, Richard (January 12, 2000). "The Jets Fill One Opening: New Owner at $635 Million". The New York Times. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
Johnson, who is 52 years old, has homes in Manhattan and Bedminster, N.J.
- ^ Hofheinz, Darrell. "More billionaires than ever in Palm Beach, our analysis of new Forbes data shows". Palm Beach Daily News. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- ^ "Trump's man in London: Woody Johnson jets in as ambassador to UK". the Guardian. August 26, 2017. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ "Johnson IV, Robert Wood – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Nothernland [sic] Ireland – June 2017". United States Department of State. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Ambassador to the United Kingdom: Who Is Woody Johnson?". AllGov. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
- ^ Wikler, Joshua. "Watching an owner with heart in the AFC Championship…". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
- ^ "Heiress death tied to diabetes". spokesman.com. February 5, 2010.
- ^ Woody Johnson (October 24, 2012). "The Folly of Defunding Diabetes Research". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ Sherri Winston (October 26, 2005). "Commentary: ONE MAN'S TIRELESS CHASE TO HELP HIS DAUGHTER". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
- ^ "Robert Wood "Woody" Johnson IV". Lupus Trust UK. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
- ^ Marano, Lou (May 8, 2002). "Jets owner funds lupus research". UPI. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
- ^ "Jets donating $1 million to Ukraine relief efforts". NFL.com. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
- ^ ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
- ^ a b "New York Jets plan Week 3 tribute to Ukraine to raise awareness for relief efforts". NFL.com. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ "New York Jets pledge $1 million to Ukraine amid ongoing Russian invasion: 'People are suffering'". CBSSports.com. April 6, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ "Deshaun Watson settles case with NFL: QB suspended 11 games and hit with hefty fine after working out deal". CBSSports.com. August 18, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
External links
Media related to Woody Johnson at Wikimedia Commons