NASCAR Scandal: Michael Jordan and Others Reveal Explosive Messages in Legal Battle
The conflict between NASCAR and two of its teams, who filed an antitrust lawsuit, has escalated to public levels. During a tense hearing, emails and text messages with offensive language were revealed, originating from 23XI Racing team owner Michael Jordan, and others involved. In one of the exchanges, the NBA legend used derogatory language towards Joe Gibbs Racing and other teams that signed the new NASCAR agreements last September.23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports were the only ones who refused to sign extensions to the franchise agreements. These teams sued NASCAR, accusing it of abusive behavior and monopoly, a dispute that has marked the year and that, according to the teams, could lead them to bankruptcy if the series sells its franchises. The documents revealed on Thursday brought to light explosive details. NASCAR, owned by the France family, saw Jim France, current chairman, and Lesa France Kennedy, executive vice president, present in court. Steve Lauletta, president of 23XI, suggested that “the death of Jim” could be the solution to obtain better conditions in franchise agreements, while Denny Hamlin expressed his deep “contempt for the France family”. In a conversation between Jordan and Polk, apparently about the price of franchises, Jordan wrote: “I’m not selling, even if they were for sale.” Polk replied: “This is just a hobby!”, to which Jordan answered: “You can only play golf to a certain point.” In another exchange, Jordan discussed with Polk the cost of hiring a pilot whose name was omitted. In NASCAR, emails with offensive language among senior executives were also revealed. Commissioner Steve Phelps argued that an initial franchise proposal offered “zero benefits for the teams.” Steve O’Donnell, the president of NASCAR, criticized an initial version that, according to him, would return the NASCAR model to 1996. Jeffrey Kessler, lawyer for 23XI and Front Row, argued that NASCAR’s exchanges, along with plans to prevent competition, demonstrate that NASCAR is monopolizing the auto racing market. NASCAR has maintained that 23XI and Front Row forfeited their rights to six combined charters by refusing to sign the extensions. The teams began the season as charters, which guarantees entry for 36 teams in the weekly race. Chartered teams also receive a significantly larger percentage of the payments. The order that recognized the six cars as franchises has been revoked and they currently compete as “open” teams. 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave if his car is not franchised; Kessler indicated that Reddick and the sponsors have notified that 23XI is in breach. U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell warned that NASCAR’s franchise system is at stake, depending on the outcome of the case. Discussions before Bell focused on the teams’ urgent request to restore their franchise status before the trial scheduled for December 1st. NASCAR has indicated that it plans to begin selling the franchises immediately. Judge Bell asked NASCAR’s attorney why not sell one of the four open spots and then address the issue once the case is resolved. NASCAR has maintained that it cannot be forced to do business with teams it does not want to work with. The judge will decide on the request next week, after the first playoff race of the season. Reddick and Bubba Wallace are in the playoffs for 23IX, as is Hamlin, who races for JGR. Outside of court, Jordan said he is open to a settlement, but willing to go to trial. Kessler warned that if 23XI and Front Row do not recover their franchises, they will cease operations in 2026. “I’ve been a fan of the game for a long time,” Jordan said. “I’ve always said that I want to fight for the betterment of the sport. The sport itself needs to continuously change for the fans and the teams. I feel like we made a good statement today and I hope to fight until the end, for the good of the sport.”“Teams will regret not joining us,” Jordan wrote in a message to Curtis Polk, his business manager.
Michael Jordan
