President-elect Donald Trump has made the decision to nominate billionaire Warren Stephens as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, a move that has drawn the ire of a specific group of people: New York Jets fans. The selection of Stephens, chairman of Stephens, Inc.—a privately held financial services firm based in Arkansas—has sparked a backlash from fans who were hoping for a different outcome.
Stephens, a prominent figure in Republican circles, has been a significant donor to various causes supported by the party, as well as a contributor to multiple pro-Trump SuperPACs over the years. His business success and political connections made him an attractive choice for Trump, but for many Jets fans, this announcement was deeply disappointing for reasons unrelated to Stephens’ credentials.
The frustration from Jets fans stems from the fact that Trump’s previous pick for the ambassador role was none other than Jets owner Woody Johnson.
Back in November 2017, Trump nominated Johnson to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the UK, just over a year after his first election victory. Johnson remained in the role until President Joe Biden’s inauguration in January 2021, effectively taking a step back from managing the day-to-day operations of the New York Jets during that period. For many fans, Johnson’s absence was seen as a silver lining, as control of the franchise shifted to his brother, Chris Johnson.
Given the Jets’ continued struggles on the field, many fans had hoped that Trump would once again nominate Woody Johnson for the ambassadorship, forcing him to relinquish control of the franchise to his brother.
The Jets have been one of the worst teams in the NFL this season, continuing a painful streak of futility for the franchise, which has not had a winning record since 2015. With another losing season on the horizon, fans were hoping that a shakeup at the ownership level might offer a glimmer of hope for change.
RELATED: Top NFL Officials Anticipate Jets Owner Woody Johnson Joining Donald Trump’s Administration
Instead, the nomination of Warren Stephens has dashed those hopes, leaving many fans disheartened by the prospect of Woody Johnson continuing to oversee the team.
While there remains a possibility that Trump could nominate Johnson for a different ambassadorship, the immediate reaction from fans has been one of frustration and dismay. Many took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the decision.
“Welp, looks like the Jets are stuck with Woody Johnson messing things up for four more years,” one fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Another user posted, “Even Trump knows Woody is a useless idiot,” suggesting that even the president-elect recognized Johnson’s shortcomings.
The frustration was palpable among the Jets faithful. “There’s no hiding from the next four years of ‘sell the team’ chants,” another fan lamented, while a different commenter called the situation “a disaster for Jets fans. We needed him away from the football team.”
For many, the hope was that Johnson’s absence would lead to a fresh approach and perhaps better decision-making for the beleaguered franchise.
Not all fans, however, were entirely optimistic about the idea of Chris Johnson taking over again. One fan tried to put things into perspective, saying, “Reading the disappointed replies and feeling the need to remind people that Chris Johnson was as bad, if not worse, than Woody.” This sentiment underscored the reality that neither brother has managed to turn the Jets into a competitive team in recent years.
The Jets’ struggles have been well-documented. Since Woody Johnson purchased the team in 2000, the franchise has amassed a record of 171-228 in the regular season and a 6-6 record in the playoffs over six postseason appearances, according to StatMuse.
The team’s lack of success has led to growing discontent among the fanbase, with many supporters hoping for significant changes at the ownership level as the first step toward building a winning culture.
With Woody Johnson staying put for now, the road ahead for the Jets looks uncertain. As the franchise attempts to navigate its way out of mediocrity, the hopes of many fans rest on the possibility of a shift in leadership or direction—something that, for the time being, remains out of reach.
The reaction to Warren Stephens’ appointment as ambassador highlights the deep frustrations felt by a fanbase yearning for change and success after years of disappointment.
