Legal Battle in NASCAR: Michael Jordan and Others Reveal Explosive Messages
The tense legal dispute between NASCAR and two of its teams, who filed an antitrust lawsuit, has escalated to a new level. During a hearing marked by tension, emails and text messages with explicit language were revealed, coming from key figures such as Michael Jordan, co-owner of the 23XI Racing team. In one of the exchanges, the NBA legend used derogatory terms towards Joe Gibbs Racing and other teams that signed the new NASCAR agreements.23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports were the only teams that refused to sign the agreement extensions, similar to franchises in other sports. These teams sued NASCAR, accusing it of a monopoly, which has generated a conflict that could lead them to bankruptcy if the series sells its licenses. The documents first revealed during the hearing exposed explosive details. NASCAR, owned by the France family, saw Lesa France Kennedy, granddaughter of the founder, present in court. Steve Lauletta, president of 23XI, suggested that the death of Jim France could improve the terms of the agreements. Hamlin expressed his deep aversion to the France family, but asked not to sabotage his own business. In a conversation with Polk, Jordan discussed the price of the licenses and humorously responded to the suggestion that it was just a hobby. NASCAR also showed exchanges of emails with offensive language among its top executives. Commissioner Steve Phelps criticized an initial proposal for not offering benefits to the teams. Steve O’Donnell, president of NASCAR, also disagreed with an initial version, describing a dictatorial attitude towards the teams. Jeffrey Kessler, lawyer for 23XI and Front Row, argued that these exchanges and NASCAR’s plans to avoid competition demonstrate its monopoly in the car racing market. NASCAR maintains that 23XI and Front Row forfeited their rights to six charters by refusing to sign the extensions. The teams began the season with guaranteed charters, which ensures their participation in each race. The teams’ status has been revoked, and they now compete as “open”. Judge Kenneth Bell warned that NASCAR’s licensing system is at stake. The hearing focused on the teams’ request to restore their license status for the remainder of the season, ahead of a trial scheduled for December. The judge will make a decision next week. Outside of court, Jordan stated he was open to a settlement, but willing to go to trial. Kessler warned that 23XI and Front Row could go bankrupt in 2026 if they don’t recover their licenses.“Teams will regret not joining us,” Jordan wrote in a message to Curtis Polk, his manager and partner at 23XI Racing, along with Denny Hamlin.
Michael Jordan
Jordan added that he is willing to “fight to the end” to improve the sport.“I’ve always said that I want to fight for the good of the sport,” Jordan declared. “The sport itself needs to continuously change for the fans and the teams.”
Michael Jordan
