NASCAR has accused Michael Jordan’s race team, 23XI Racing, of being involved in an “illegal cartel” in a recent lawsuit. This accusation also includes Jordan’s business manager, Curtis Polk, and another racing team, Front Row Motorsports.
According to the lawsuit, these teams worked together to “pressure” NASCAR during negotiations over charter agreements. They allegedly did this through media campaigns, interfering with NASCAR’s broadcast negotiations, and even threatening to boycott NASCAR events. Reports suggest they boycotted a meeting of the NASCAR Team Owner Council as part of their strategy.
NASCAR’s countersuit comes after a lawsuit was filed by 23XI and Front Row last October. In that initial suit, they accused NASCAR of unfair practices that stifle competition. Jeffrey Kessler, the attorney for 23XI and Front Row, condemned NASCAR’s countersuit as a desperate effort to divert attention from NASCAR’s own monopolistic actions.
“Our goal is to make NASCAR a fairer and more competitive sport for everyone involved,” Kessler stated. He believes that all major sports experience shifts toward competition when antitrust claims arise, and he remains confident in the strength of their case.
The tension started after extensive negotiations for new charter agreements, which function like franchises in NASCAR. The recent charter agreements were presented as a take-it-or-leave-it offer just before the start of NASCAR’s playoffs. Shockingly, 23XI and Front Row were the only two teams out of 15 that chose not to sign these agreements.
The charters, crucial for teams, ensure spots in races and come with financial perks. 23XI and Front Row allege that NASCAR and the France family, who owns the stock car series, are monopolizing the sport.
So far, NASCAR has experienced a setback in court, as the two teams were recognized as chartered organizations for the 2025 season while the legal battle continues. NASCAR also plans to appeal the decision to dismiss the case.
In the countersuit, Polk is positioned as a key figure against the current charter proposals. NASCAR’s attorney claimed that Polk, who co-owns 23XI with three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, doesn’t grasp the unique business model of NASCAR. Yates criticized Polk for allegedly threatening a boycott of an important qualifying race and for rallying other teams against a necessary meeting related to the charter.
The qualifying race in question is part of the 2024 event that decides the field for the Daytona 500. Yates pointed out that Polk’s approach to NASCAR seems misguided, as he appears to want the sport to mirror the structure and dynamics of leagues like the NBA, which is not how NASCAR operates.
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