Dallas Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd Joins Bid for Crystal Palace as Club Seeks New Investment
Jason Kidd, Hall of Famer and current head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, has set his sights on a new venture—this time in the world of English football. Kidd, 51, known for his celebrated NBA career and two Olympic gold medals, has reportedly joined a consortium aiming to acquire a minority stake in Premier League club Crystal Palace.
According to The Athletic, Kidd and his group recently submitted an offer for a 45% share of Crystal Palace, currently held by Eagle Football, though this initial bid was rejected by majority shareholder John Textor for not meeting his valuation.
Textor, who has been open to selling his stake since May, cited strategic challenges with the current arrangement as his motivation for a potential sale. As the CEO of Eagle Football, a global sports investment group, Textor explained that while Eagle Football has achieved considerable success with clubs in Brazil and France, it has faced integration hurdles with Crystal Palace in the UK. “We’ve reached the point where we have a significant investment in a club we hold in the minority,” Textor commented.
“To not have that same level of integration with our partner in the UK… it just becomes more and more clear that that level of collaboration we want and need works.” Textor’s openness to a sale aligns with Kidd’s interests, creating a potential pathway for the consortium to reenter negotiations with a higher bid.
New ownership and investment could be a timely opportunity for Crystal Palace, which has had a rocky start to the Premier League season and currently sits just above the relegation zone.
READ MORE: Trump Media Stock Soars Following Projected Election Victory
Fresh capital might enable the club to strengthen its squad during upcoming transfer windows and possibly accelerate long-awaited redevelopment plans for Selhurst Park. The stadium upgrade, crucial for fan experience and club revenue, has long been a priority but has faced funding challenges.
For Kidd, who has accomplished much in the NBA, from leading teams on the court to coaching from the sidelines, this move into English football marks a significant shift.
Known for his strategic mind in basketball, Kidd’s involvement could signal a unique transatlantic approach to ownership. If successful, this acquisition would mark a notable example of a high-profile American sports figure making inroads into the English football landscape.
It would also represent another chapter in the trend of NBA personalities and American investors seeking influence in Premier League clubs, an area of growing interest due to the league’s global visibility and commercial potential.
As Kidd and his consortium consider their next steps, the ball is in their court to determine if they will return with an improved offer that meets Textor’s valuation. In the meantime, Crystal Palace and its supporters will be watching closely, hopeful that new investment might offer the boost needed to secure the club’s position in the Premier League and advance its future ambitions.