Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing Team Files Lawsuit Against NASCAR and CEO Jim France

Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team, 23XI Racing, is suing NASCAR and its CEO, Jim France, over alleged anticompetitive practices. Along with Front Row Motorsports, 23XI Racing filed an antitrust lawsuit on October 2 in the Western District of North Carolina.

The lawsuit accuses NASCAR of using its charter system to restrict competition and unfairly tie teams to the series, tracks, and suppliers.

According to the lawsuit, this system prevents fair competition and limits opportunities for teams, drivers, sponsors, and fans. “We brought this antitrust case to make racing more competitive and fair, for the benefit of all involved,” 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports said in a joint statement.

“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.

For the past two years, NASCAR and the 15 charter-holding teams in the Cup Series have been in heated negotiations over a new revenue-sharing model. In September, NASCAR made its final offer, and while 13 teams signed the deal, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports declined. Reports suggest that many teams signed “under pressure or felt threatened” by NASCAR.

The lawsuit further claims, “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 established in 2020 by Jordan, NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, and Jordan’s business partner Curtis Polk. The team’s name is a tribute to Jordan’s No. 23 from his NBA career and Hamlin’s No. 11, the number he drives in the Cup Series.