23XI Racing, the team co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan, announced that it jointly filed an antitrust lawsuit along with Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR and NASCAR CEO Jim France on Wednesday, arguing that the sport’s governing body has unlawfully stifled fair competition.
In particular, 23XI and Front Row called out NASCAR buying racetracks and imposing exclusivity on sanctioned locations, acquiring competitor series ARCA in 2018, preventing teams from participating in other stock races, and forcing teams to buy their parts from NASCAR-selected suppliers.
“No other major professional sport in North America is run by a single family that enriches themselves through these kinds of unchecked monopolistic practices,” the parties wrote in their statement.
“Everyone knows that I have always been a fierce competitor,” Jordan said in the statement. “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.”
The charges come amid a fight over NASCAR’s charter system. Last month, 13 groups reportedly signed new, multiyear deals that would see them share a certain slice of NASCAR revenue while continuing to compete. 23XI and Front Row held out, however, believing that the teams should have a larger seat at the table—including potential permanent status—for the largest racing competition in the United States.
“When I look around, I see that the best and most competitive sports in the world understand that when teams thrive, fans benefit, and that everyone who invests in making the sport a success should share fairly in that success,” 54-time NASCAR race winner and 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin said in a statement. “With the right changes, we can certainly make that a reality in racing.”
In their legal fight, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have retained Winston & Strawn LLP, led by Jeffrey Kessler, a well-known sports labor representative.
The companies said they intend to file a preliminary injunction that would let them race next year under the 2025 charter agreement while continuing to pursue a legal resolution.
23XI Racing was founded in 2020 while Front Row Motorsports, owned by Bob Jenkins, has been racing full-time since 2005. Jenkins has said he has yet to turn a profit in the business. 23XI won its first regular-season championship this year, with the playoffs ongoing.
NASCAR did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the suit.
