NEED TO KNOW
-
Denny Hamlin got emotional as a witness in a federal antitrust trial against NASCAR
-
The race car driver spoke about the financial hardships in running a team
-
Michael Jordan, Hamlin’s partner, looked on from the gallery as Hamlin broke down in tears
Denny Hamlin got emotional during the first day of testimony in a landmark NASCAR antitrust trial.
The three-time Daytona 500 winner broke into tears as the first witness on Monday, Dec. 1 in a trial that could set the sport on a new trajectory, according to NBC Sports.
Advertisement
Hamlin’s 23XI Racing — which he co-owns with Michael Jordan — has called NASCAR “monopolistic bullies,” alleging its revenue sharing model is unfair to race teams, who often operate at a loss.
However, Hamlin’s team has been able to turn a profit only because of the Hall of Famer’s involvement, he said in his testimony.
“If I can’t be successful with Michael as a partner, I knew this was never going to work,” Hamlin, 45, said.
Jordan, 62, looked on from the gallery as Hamlin then broke down.
Chris Graythen/Getty
Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan
The NASCAR star told the Associated Press in October that his father is dying. In court on Monday, he said he was emotional because his dad, who is 75 and battling a serious illness, “is not in great health.”
Advertisement
Only because of Jordan’s impact, has 23XI been able to turn a profit in all but one of its five seasons of operation, Hamlin said. The two connected years ago over Jordan’s love for NASCAR and Hamlin’s affinity for basketball.
Hamlin’s attorney Jeffrey Kessler submitted that a NASCAR-commissioned study found that 75% of teams lost money in 2024, and that over a three-year period, almost $400 million was paid to the France Family Trust, who operates the stock car series.
A moment of levity happened during the juror selection process, in which several people called into question their ability to remain impartial with Jordan in the mix.
One potential juror shared that he was a North Carolina fan but said that the Bill Belichick-helmed football team was not “doing too well right now,” to which Jordan, a Tar Heel legend, shook his head and laughed.
Advertisement
Read the original article on People
