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When Woody Johnson IV officially acquired the New York Jets in 2000, it was one of the highest prices ever paid for a professional sports franchise.
This purchase, executed after a heated bidding war, cemented Johnson’s "decades-long" dream of owning an NFL team. The deep financial roots stretch back more than a century to the founding of one of the world’s most recognizable companies. Johnson is the great-grandson of Robert Wood Johnson I, who, along with his brothers, co-founded the healthcare and pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson in 1886.
Johnson has become one of the most notable owners in football for one of the most valuable teams in sports in the Jets. Here's how New York's owner acquired the team and more about his wealth.
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How did Woody Johnson make his money?
The foundation of Johnson's wealth traces back to his great-grandfather, Robert Wood Johnson I, who co-founded Johnson & Johnson in 1886 with his brothers, James Wood Johnson and Edward Mead Johnson. The company became a global powerhouse built on consumer health products, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals.
As a member of this founding family, Woody Johnson inherited a significant portion of this dynastic wealth. He served as the chairman and chief executive of The Johnson Company, Inc., a private investment firm specifically tasked with managing family assets and private equity investments.
His personal fortune, derived from the family's stake and the management of their investments, is what enabled him to purchase the Jets.
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How much did Woody Johnson pay for the Jets
Johnson purchased the Jets for $635 million in 2000. Adjusted for inflation, that's nearly $1.2 billion today.
Per Forbes, the Jets are the eighth-most valuable team in the NFL at $8.1 billion.
What is Woody Johnson's net worth in 2025?
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Johnson's net worth is $10.9B.
He is ranked No. 304 in the index, just behind Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank.
Richest NFL owners
Johnson does not rank in the top 10 richest NFL owners, per Front Office Sports.
| Rank | Owner | Team | Net Worth |
| 1 | Rob Walton and family | Denver Broncos | $113.2 billion |
| 2 | David Tepper | Carolina Panthers | $21.3 billion |
| 3 | Stephen Ross | Miami Dolphins | $18.4 billion |
| 4 | Stan Kroenke | Los Angeles Rams | $18 billion |
| 5 | Jerry Jones | Dallas Cowboys | $16.6 billion |
| 6 | Shahid Khan | Jacksonville Jaguars | $13.4 billion |
| 7 | Robert Kraft | New England Patriots | $11.8 billion |
| 8 | Josh Harris | Washington Commanders | $10.4 billion |
| 9 | Arthur Blank | Atlanta Falcons | $9.3 billion |
| 10 | Jimmy Haslem | Cleveland Browns | $8.5 billion |
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