President-elect Donald Trump tapped Jets owner Woody Johnson on Thursday to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Trump revealed the pick during a pre-inauguration luncheon in Washington, D.C., telling audience members Johnson is "going to St. James," giving a nod to the Court of St. James's that formally represents the U.S. ambassador. A transition official later confirmed the announcement to CNBC.
BREAKING: President-elect Trump will name the owner of NFL's NY Jets, Woody Johnson, to be ambassador to the United Kingdom, official says.
— CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) January 19, 2017
Johnson is a longtime Republican donor who backed former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush before formally endorsing Trump in May. He served as vice chairman of the Trump Victory Committee, hosting high-dollar fundraisers for the president-elect's general election campaign.
Johnson, who bought the Jets in 2000, has previously pledged to hand over day-to-day control of the NFL team should he be named to the position.