Casey Johnson

Biography

Robert Wood Johnson IV (born April 12, 1947) is an American businessman and the owner and chairman of the NFL's New York Jets and was the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2021 during Donald Trump's first term. He is a great-grandson of Robert Wood Johnson I and an heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical fortune. In 2000, he purchased the Jets for $635 million alongside his younger brother, Christopher Johnson. A long-time Republican Party donor, Johnson was a supporter of Donald Trump's presidential campaign in 2016 and was subsequently appointed as the US Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Events during his tenure included Britain's exit from the EU and the relocation of the United States embassy in London. His brother Christopher took over Jets operations during his tenure. Upon his return to the New York in 2021, Johnson resumed his role as chairman of the Jets. In 2023, he pursued Aaron Rodgers, with the Jets finalizing a trade with the Green Bay Packers in April. In 2022, Johnson made a £2 billion bid for Chelsea but withdrew from the bidding process later that month. In July 2025, Johnson completed the purchase of a 43% stake in Crystal Palace from Eagle Football Holdings, becoming a partner and director of the club.

== Early life and education == Johnson was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the son of Betty Johnson (née Wold; 1921–2020) and Robert Wood Johnson III, and the great-grandson of Robert Wood Johnson I, who founded the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical company, along with his brothers James Wood Johnson and Edward Mead Johnson. Robert Wood Johnson IV grew up with four siblings: Keith Johnson, Billy Johnson, Elizabeth "Libet" Johnson, and Christopher Wold Johnson, in northern New Jersey, and attended the Millbrook School. He graduated from the University of Arizona. He worked for J&J for a single summer.

== Career ==

=== The Johnson Company, Inc === Johnson was the chairman and chief executive of The Johnson Company, Inc., a private investment firm. In 2006, a Senate subcommittee produced a 370-page report that said that some prominent figures, including Johnson, purchased capital gain losses as a way to reduce their own income tax bills. Johnson settled with the IRS in 2006, agreeing to pay the owed taxes plus interest. Johnson was the committee president of the Pre-Commissioning Unit for the San Antonio-class ship USS New York (LPD-21).

=== New York Jets === In January 2000, Woody Johnson purchased the New York Jets from the estate of Leon Hess for $635 million. At the time, it was the third-highest price ever paid for a professional sports team, and the highest for a New York professional sports team. As of December 2024, Forbes estimated the value of the team at $6.9 billion.

Following his acquisition of the Jets, Johnson moved the team to the newly constructed Meadowlands Stadium, sharing it as an equal partner with the New York Giants. The stadium, later named MetLife Stadium, officially opened on April 10, 2010. In 2017, upon being appointed the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Johnson's brother, Christopher Johnson, assumed the roles of CEO and acting owner of the Jets. Woody Johnson resumed his position as chairman in 2021 after returning to the United States, with Christopher Johnson becoming vice-chairman. In January 2023, Johnson expressed the need for a strong quarterback to complement the Jets' robust defense, describing it as the "missing piece" in the team's lineup. Subsequently, Johnson pursued four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, stating to ESPN the importance of securing the best possible quarterback to lead the team. The Jets also hired Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator, given his strong rapport with Rodgers. On April 24, 2023, it was reported that the Jets were finalizing a trade deal with the Green Bay Packers for Rodgers. Johnson has been widely criticized for his handling of the Jets. As of 2025, the team has had the longest active playoff drought in the NFL, with one season above .500. Johnson fired Robert Saleh during the 2024 season; Saleh finished 20–36 and without a winning season. In January 2025, Johnson hired Aaron Glenn as the team's new head coach and Darren Mougey as the new general manager. In his statement on the hiring, Johnson expressed his desire to play a less active role in the team's day-to-day management, stating "I want Aaron Glenn to coach the team and I want the general manager to manage the assets and players and I'll take an owner's position." Under Johnson, the New York Jets Foundation has funded charitable programs related to youth sports, military veterans, education and medical research. The Jets have held walk-a-thons, benefit luncheons, and other events related to the Lupus Research Alliance, which Johnson founded. In 2001, the team partnered with the Public Schools Athletic League. The Jets have also sponsored hundreds of girls' flag football programs, in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. In 2015, Johnson received the Steinberg DeNicola Humanitarian Award for NFL owners who engage in philanthropy. Johnson also helped the league select a successor to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

=== Other sports ventures === In March 2022, Johnson made a £2 billion bid to purchase London football club Chelsea from sanctioned billionaire Roman Abramovich. Johnson, who became a fan of the team during his ambassadorship in London, was considered to have an advantage over other bidders like Saudi Media Group due to his familiarity with London and experience in sports management. However, by March 25, it was reported that Johnson was no longer in contention to buy Chelsea. He agreed to buy a 45% share from John Textor in another London club, Crystal Palace, in June 2025, which would make him the largest shareholder in the club. The deal was completed on July 24, 2025, but was reported as a 43% stake purchase.

=== Net worth === Johnson is a billionaire. 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. 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). As of April 2024, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index placed his net worth at an estimated $9.92 billion.