Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing Team Sues NASCAR And CEO Jim France

Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team, 23XI Racing, is suing NASCAR and CEO Jim France. 23XI and fellow team Front Row Motorsports filed an antitrust lawsuit against the organization, alleging they have used anticompetitive practices to prevent fair competition in the sport.

The suit, filed on Wednesday (Oct. 2) in the Western District of North Carolina in Charlotte, claims the new charter system “limits competition by unfairly binding teams to the series, its tracks and its suppliers,” per The Associated Press.

“Together, we brought this antitrust case so that racing can thrive and become a more competitive and fair sport in ways that will benefit teams, drivers, sponsors, and, most importantly, fans,” 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports said in a joint statement.

DARLINGTON, SC – SEPTEMBER 01: Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23xi racing watches the action on the Jumbotron from pit road during the running of the 75th Cook Out Southern 500 on September 01, 2024 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, SC.

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Over the last two years, there have been “contentious negotiations” between NASCAR and the 15 charter-holding organizations in the series’ top Cup Series. In early September, the privately owned racing association presented its final offer on a revenue sharing model, and 13 organizations signed while 23XI Racing and Front Row did not. AP reports that most of the 13 orgs signed “under duress or felt threatened into doing so.”

“The France family and NASCAR are monopolistic bullies,” reads a copy of the lawsuit, which was obtained by AP. “And bullies will continue to impose their will to hurt others until their targets stand up and refuse to be victims. That moment has now arrived.”

23XI Racing was founded in 2020 by Jordan, driver Denny Hamlin, and Jordan’s longtime business partner, Curtis Polk. The team name is a combination of MJ’s No. 23, the number he wore during his legendary NBA career, and Denny Hamlin’s No. 11, which he has driven his entire career in the Cup series.

BRISTOL, TN – SEPTEMBER 21: Kyle Larson (#5 Hendrick Motorsports HendrickCars.com Chevrolet) and Tyler Reddick (#45 23XI Racing McDonald’s Toyota)

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