Retired basketball superstar Michael Jordan appeared in Charlotte, N.C., federal court on Monday as he and two fellow NASCAR team owners filed a lawsuit against the Auto Racing Association for alleged antitrust violations.
Jordan, who co-owns 23XI Racing with three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, sat in the front row of the gallery and listened attentively as antitrust attorney Jeffrey Kessler sought a temporary injunction that would prevent the former Bulls star’s team from Will allow to compete. Race challenging NASCAR’s business model.
Jordan’s team 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, which is owned by restaurant entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, filed a lawsuit against NASCAR and president Jim France last month after months of tense negotiations over NASCAR’s charter system.
Both teams say NASCAR made a last-minute ‘take it or leave it’ offer to all Cup Series teams in September, which both 23XI and Front Row refused to sign.
The owners argue that the charter system limits competition by unfairly binding teams to the series, its tracks, and its suppliers, and they called the France family and NASCAR “monopolistic scoundrels.”
Both teams are represented by Kessler, the nation’s top antitrust lawyer, who has repeatedly argued that they are only seeking a temporary injunction that would allow them to compete without the clause that preempts their ongoing lawsuit. Will stop.
He said NASCAR has rescinded the charter agreements it offered to 23XI and FRM in September.
“We do not challenge the entire charter agreement. We want to return to the status quo,” Kessler said.
“We are not looking for a seven to 14 year argument. Let us (the court) work under the terms proposed by them for the duration of the case and race under the charter terms for the duration of the case.
Kessler said NASCAR is fighting the injunction because NASCAR does not believe it has a winnable case.
The battle is underway as NASCAR enters its championship weekend, with the title-deciding race scheduled for Sunday at Phoenix, with 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick among four drivers who could win.
After a hearing that lasted nearly two hours, U.S. District Judge Frank D. Whitney said his decision on 23XI and FRM’s request for a preliminary injunction against seeking recognition as charter teams in 2025 would be due Friday — when Phoenix The cars will take off on the track. To begin preparations for the title-deciding race.
Jordan said he did not think the legal battle would affect 23XI’s effort to win a championship with Reddick.
“No, I have lived in situations of inequality. I think the race team will be focused on what they have to do this weekend, which is what I expect them to do,” Jordan said.
“I think Jeffrey did an incredible job today, and I think I put all my cards on the table. I’m looking forward to winning the championship this weekend.”
The issue before the court is 23XI and FRM’s request to be released from a clause in NASCAR’s agreement that prevents teams from suing the sanctioning body.
Both teams have said they will operate as “open” teams in 2025 if they do not get an injunction, but the agreement also prevents them from suing NASCAR.
Furthermore, an “open” team is not guaranteed a spot in the weekly 40-car field, it does not receive the same revenue as chartered teams, and its drivers and sponsors may potentially leave as they are vulnerable to chartered teams. Are connected to.
The charter system began in 2016 and has now been extended twice, with deals signed by 13 organizations set to run from 2025 to 2031.
with post wire
