US EditionMichael Jordan's fight against NASCAR heads to court, could shake up motorsports
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports challenge NASCAR's charter control as a monopoly, citing exclusivity clauses and revenue disputes in a trial that may reshape motorsports governance.
- On Dec. 1, the federal antitrust trial opened with Michael Jordan present and a nine-person jury seated to hear 23XI Racing's monopoly allegations against NASCAR in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.
- After refusing late-2024 renewals, 23XI and Front Row sued because they sought permanent charters, a larger revenue share, and governance input in NASCAR's 2025 charter agreements.
- Internal communications and financial records indicated salacious personal messages among NASCAR executives and team leaders and showed NASCAR made more than $100 million in 2024 net income.
- If the plaintiffs prevail, courts could order measures such as dismantling the charter system, selling tracks or the sport, while the jury will determine damages and U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell could triple them; if NASCAR wins, the plaintiffs may not survive beyond 2026.
- The teams face a preponderance‑of‑evidence burden as 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports must prevail on the preponderance of the evidence standard, while the market definition ruling on premier stock‑car racing team services anticipates appeals.
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Why Is Michael Jordan Suing NASCAR?
Source: Icon Sportswire / Getty A major lawsuit filed in October 2024 by 23XI Racing — owned by Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin, and Jordan’s longtime business partner Curtis Polk — has officially gone to trial, according to reporting from AP News, ESPN, USA TODAY, and Sports Illustrated. Front Row Motorsports is fighting alongside the team, and together they are challenging what they say are unfair financial terms and an imbalanced system that har…
Five Big Takeaways From The Start Of Michael Jordan's Lawsuit Against NASCAR
Michael Jordan NASCAR Despite the entire motorsports world expecting the two sides to settle, Michael Jordan and his 23XI Racing team began its antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR on Monday, alongside fellow team owner Bob Jenkins of Front Row Motorsports. The two teams allege that NASCAR is operating as a monopoly and used monopolistic practices in an attempt to bully teams to sign its latest charter agreement in 2024. Both 23XI Racing and Front R…
NASCAR antitrust trial rolls into day 2 with spotlight on Michael Jordan’s race team
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- A federal antitrust trial involving NASCAR pushed into its second day on Tuesday, with much of the attention centered on 23XI Racing: the team co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and driver Denny Hamlin. 23XI is suing NASCAR, claiming the organization operates like a monopoly and makes it nearly impossible [...]
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