Scandal in NASCAR: Michael Jordan and Others Reveal Explosive Messages in Legal Dispute
The tense legal battle between NASCAR and two racing teams has escalated to a new level of controversy. During a hearing marked by tension, internal communications with explicit language have been revealed, coming from prominent figures such as Michael Jordan, owner of the 23XI Racing team. In a message exchange, Jordan expressed his discontent towards Joe Gibbs Racing and other teams that signed the new NASCAR agreements. “The teams will regret not joining us,” Jordan wrote to Curtis Polk, his manager and partner at 23XI Racing, along with Denny Hamlin. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports were the only teams that refused to sign the extensions of the franchise agreements, similar to franchises in other sports. These teams have sued NASCAR, accusing it of monopolistic practices, which has generated great uncertainty in the racing world. The situation worsened with the disclosure of documents that revealed unprecedented details. Jim France, current NASCAR chairman, and his granddaughter, Lesa France Kennedy, were also present in court. Steve Lauletta, president of 23XI, mentioned that “Jim’s death would probably be the solution” to obtain better conditions in the agreements. Hamlin, for his part, expressed his deep contempt for the France family. In another conversation, Jordan and Polk discussed the price of franchises. Jordan stated that he would not sell, even if they were for sale. Polk replied that it was just a hobby, to which Jordan answered that you can only play golf to a certain point. A second exchange revealed Jordan’s discussion with Polk about the cost of hiring a pilot, whose name was redacted. Jordan replied that “I lost it at a casino. Let’s do it”. NASCAR also had its own series of emails with offensive language among its top executives. Commissioner Steve Phelps argued that an initial franchise proposal offered “no win for the teams.” Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR president, also criticized an initial version, calling it a “dictatorship” and a “small southern sport.” Jeffrey Kessler, lawyer for 23XI and Front Row, argued that these exchanges and NASCAR’s contingency plans to avoid competition demonstrate its attempt to monopolize the auto racing market. NASCAR, for its part, maintains 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 them entry into the competition each week and a larger percentage of the winnings. The order that recognized the six cars as franchises has been revoked, and they currently compete as “open” teams. Tyler Reddick, a 23XI Racing driver, has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave if his car is not a franchise. Kessler indicated that Reddick and the sponsors have notified that 23XI has breached the contract. U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell warned that NASCAR’s franchise system is at stake, depending on the outcome of the case. Discussions focused on the teams’ urgent request to restore their franchise status before the trial scheduled for December 1. NASCAR has indicated that it plans to begin selling the franchises immediately. Judge Bell asked NASCAR’s lawyer why one of the four open spots cannot be sold and resolve the issue once the case is resolved. NASCAR insists that it cannot be forced to do business with teams it does not want to work with. Judge Bell will issue his ruling on the request next week, after the first playoff race of the season. Reddick, Bubba Wallace, and Hamlin are in the playoffs. Outside of court, Jordan stated he was open to a settlement, but willing to go to trial. Kessler warned that, if 23XI and Front Row do not recover their franchises, they could go bankrupt in 2026.“I have been a fan of the sport for a long time. I have always said that I want to fight to improve the sport. Although they tried to point out that we have made some money, we have had a successful business. That is not the point. The point is that the sport itself needs to change continuously for the fans and for the teams. If they understand that, I feel that we made a good statement today about it and I hope to go all the way. If I have to fight to the end, for the good of the sport, I will.”
Michael Jordan
