Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are embroiled in a lawsuit with NASCAR, which saw explosive developments on Thursday, highlighting the potential severity of the legal proceedings.
The case is a joint federal antitrust lawsuit filed last October by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR and its CEO and chairman, Jim France.
The two racing teams allege that NASCAR executed monopolistic practices.
Essentially, NASCAR employs a charter model, in which teams are guaranteed a spot in the Cup Series and get a revenue share, though the teams do not own the league; instead, it is privately owned.
The latest charter agreement was set to expire in 2024. NASCAR issued a proposal on September 6, 2023, and gave teams until midnight to sign it.
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports did not sign the agreement, claiming it was an unfair revenue distribution, along with restrictions that don’t allow teams to compete in other stock car racing or require the use of parts from an approved supplier.
On Thursday, Jordan made it clear that he is willing to see the case through, no matter what, citing its importance for the future of the sport.
“When we first started this whole process, I’ve always said that I want to fight for the betterment of the sport,” Jordan said.
“Even though they try to point out that we made some money, we had a successful business, that’s not the point.
“The point is that the sport itself needs to continually change for the better, for the fans, as well as for the teams — as well as NASCAR, too, if they understand that.
“I look forward to going down firing. If I have to fight this to the end for the betterment of the sport, I will do that.”
The trial is set to start on December 1, according to the latest filing, although there is still time for a settlement to be reached.
U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell warned that no settlement will alter the course of NASCAR’s history.
“Everybody is going to get hurt if this thing goes a certain way,” Bell said.
“If either party feels certain they’re going to win, they’re wrong.”
The case’s inner workings will be open to the public, according to Judge Bell, and considering how dug in both sides are, it seems like a trial could be on the horizon.
“This is going to be an open and public trial,” he added.
For more NASCAR news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
The post Michael Jordan Issues Fiery Statement Amid NASCAR Anti-Trust Lawsuit appeared first on Newsweek.
