The most famous team owner in NASCAR, is going to court. Against NASCAR.
WHAT IS HAPPENING
This dispute comes on the tail-end of over two years of unsuccessful negotiations, and renegotiations, over the new charter agreement that NASCAR is forcing on members of the series. Basically, NASCAR controls which tracks that it allows races happens on (and owns those same race tracks), mandates which equipment suppliers it’s teams can use, and largely controls much of the North American racing market without much competition. According to critics, NASCAR’s iron grip over the sport unfairly benefits them at the expense of team owners, drivers, sponsors, partners and fans.
Michael Jordan, alongside current Joe Gibbs Racing driver and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, launched twenty-three eleven racing in 2021. Along with being the only Black owned racing team in NASCAR, twenty-three eleven also features Bubba Watson, the only Black driver in NASCAR.
TAKE IT TO TRIAL
As reported by the Associated Press, NASCAR presented its final offer in early September, on what is essentially a revenue sharing model; 13 organizations signed, with most saying they did so under duress or felt threatened into doing so. 23XI Racing, the team co-owned by Jordan, and a smaller team, refused to sign. Hiring Jeffrey Kessler, a top antitrust attorney, who has represented the players in all four major professional North American sports, helped push the NCAA toward an era of paid college athletes and won a landmark equal pay settlement for members of the U.S. national women’s soccer team.
Jordan, again one of the fiercest competitors we have ever seen, decided to make his quiet beef with NASCAR public this week, releasing this statement:
“Everyone knows that I have always been a fierce competitor, and that will to win is what drives me and the entire 23XI team each and every week out on the track. I love the sport of racing and the passion of our fans, but the way NASCAR is run today is unfair to teams, drivers, sponsors and fans. Today’s action shows I’m willing to fight for a competitive market where everyone wins.”
A spokesperson for NASCAR, claims the series does not comment on pending litigation.
NASCAR is based in Daytona Beach, Florida.
