Michael Jordan loves NASCAR, but he doesn’t need it.
The legendary NBA star is of course best known for his time on the basketball court. Jordan, considered by many to be the greatest player in sports history, led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in the 1990s. Jordan also led Team USA, known as the Dream Team, to an Olympic gold medal in 1992. Off of the court, Jordan became arguably the most marketable athlete of all-time, becoming a billionaire thanks to his deal with Nike.
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Jordan grew up in the South, though, and has always had a love for NASCAR. In 2020, Jordan co-founded 23XI Racing with Denny Hamlin. The Cup Series team currently employs Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick. The team is based out of Jordan’s home state, North Carolina.
But Jordan and his team are currently embroiled in a lawsuit with NASCAR.
23XI Racing team owner Michael Jordan during qualifying for the Cup Series championship race at Phoenix Raceway.Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Michael Jordan and his team are currently in the middle of an anti-trust lawsuit with NASCAR.
Jordan’s team, 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports are accusing NASCAR of having too much control over everything, from where the races are held to how the money is distributed to the rulebook.
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The lawsuit centers around charters. The charter, given out by NASCAR, guarantees that your team can race each week. There are only a limited amount of them and they are worth tens of millions, with the most recent charter going for more than $40 million USD. However, the charters expire and can only be renewed on NASCAR’s terms.
After the 2024 season, 15 teams were offered new multi-year charters. Of those 15 teams, 13 signed, but 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports did not. Those teams are arguing against the terms offered by NASCAR.
And that’s where the lawsuit begins.
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Jordan is threatening all of NASCAR
Jordan, 62, has made things clear – he doesn’t need NASCAR, so he’s not afraid to go after them.
“Someone had to step forward… I was a new person, I wasn’t afraid. I felt I could challenge NASCAR as a whole. I felt as far as the sport, it needed to be looked at from a different view,” Jordan said, sending a clear message to the entire sport.
If there’s anyone that might cause NASCAR to wobble, it could be Michael Jordan.
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This story was originally published by The Spun on Dec 8, 2025, where it first appeared in the NASCAR section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
