This week, President Donald J. Trump officially nominated New York Jets owner and Johnson and Johnson scion Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV to be the United States Ambassador to the Court of St. James’s. Pending confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Johnson will be likely be headed across the pond for the next three and half years.
Lewis Lukens is currently serving as the interim ambassador until Johnson’s confirmation is official. The nomination of Johnson, 70, a respected businessman and philanthropist, is not expected to be met with much resistance. He is the second NFL owner in recent years to join the country’s diplomatic community. In 2009, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney was named the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland by President Barack Obama.
Johnson and his family purchased the Jets on January 18, 2000. Woody, as he is affectionately known, is a fourth-generation member of the founding family of the pharmaceutical conglomerate Johnson & Johnson, which was founded by his great-grandfather, Robert Wood Johnson I, back in 1866.His net worth is estimated to be in the excess of $6 billion.
Woody is being rewarded by Trump for his support during last year’s presidential campaign. Johnson became a Trump supporter after his initial choice for the Republican nomination, Jeb Bush, dropped out of the race. Johnson reportedly donated funds to finance Trump’s inauguration.
Woody Johnson, owner of the NYJets, is @JebBush’s finance chairman. If Woody would’ve been w/me, he would’ve been in the playoffs, at least!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2016
With Woody gone and relieved of all of his personal snd business obligations, his brother Chris, 58, will take over day-to-day control of the club. Chris has been involved with the franchise and as far as we know, isn’t going to make any major changes while Woody is away. Over the past few years, the meddling Woody has backed off getting involved in personnel decisions. leaving those responsibilities to GM Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles.
“The New York Jets have been an integral part of our family since 2000, but this is a unique opportunity for Woody. His patriotism and commitment to our country have always been a passion of his,” said Christopher Johnson in a press release by the team. “Over the years, we have learned that ownership of the New York Jets is a special responsibility. Personally, if Woody is nominated and confirmed, I would be honored to oversee the organization, continuing to build a team on and off the field that our fans are proud of and deserve.”
Everything else apparently will remain the same. Neil Glat will remain president, so the business of running the Jets will remain intact. The quality of football will still remain poor, sorry to report.
“On behalf of the entire organization, we would be extremely proud to see Woody nominated and confirmed as U.S. Ambassador. We could not be more excited for him and his family,” said Glat.