Michael Jordan’s racing team, 23XI Racing, has taken legal action against NASCAR and its CEO, Jim France, accusing them of “monopolistic bullying.” The lawsuit, filed in federal court in North Carolina on Wednesday, also includes Front Row Motorsports, another team that shares Jordan’s grievances. At the heart of the dispute is what the two teams describe as unfair business practices and a refusal by NASCAR to negotiate terms that would provide the teams with a more equitable share of revenue.
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports argue in the lawsuit that when it came time to renegotiate and extend their charter agreements beyond the 2024 season, they sought a larger piece of the financial pie. However, NASCAR and its leadership, led by Jim France, allegedly refused to meet their demands. Instead, the teams claim NASCAR offered them a “take-it-or-leave-it” deal, implying that if they didn’t sign, they risked losing their charters and, therefore, their ability to compete in future seasons.
Faced with this pressure, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports chose to take their fight to the courts rather than sign what they consider an unfair agreement. They filed the lawsuit in hopes that a judge would intervene and grant an injunction, allowing them to continue competing in the 2025 season without forfeiting their right to challenge NASCAR’s alleged monopolistic practices. The teams are ultimately seeking to curb what they describe as NASCAR’s “unlawful monopoly power” over the sport, with an aim to create a more competitive and fair environment.
Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing, expressed his frustrations in a statement about the lawsuit, emphasizing his commitment to the sport and the broader racing community. “I love the sport of racing and the passion of our fans,” Jordan said. “But the way NASCAR is run today is unfair to teams, drivers, sponsors, and fans. Today’s action shows I’m willing to fight for a competitive market where everyone wins.”
Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing and a veteran NASCAR driver, echoed Jordan’s sentiments. He pointed out that in the most successful sports leagues around the world, teams are given the opportunity to thrive, which in turn benefits fans and the sport itself. “When I look around, I see that the best and most competitive sports in the world understand that when teams thrive, fans benefit, and that everyone who invests in making the sport a success should share fairly in that success,” Hamlin said. “With the right changes, we can certainly make that a reality in racing.”
Jordan and Hamlin founded 23XI Racing in 2020 with the goal of shaking up the NASCAR landscape. The team, which boasts drivers like Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, has quickly become one of the most prominent in the sport.
Their legal battle with NASCAR, however, could reshape the future of the sport, particularly in terms of how revenue is shared among teams and how much power NASCAR holds over its participants.
As of now, NASCAR and Jim France have not publicly commented on the lawsuit, but the legal proceedings are sure to attract significant attention in the racing world.
With Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin leading the charge, this legal challenge could spark broader discussions about fairness, equity, and the financial future of NASCAR. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the sport, its teams, and its fans.
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