Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing, co-owned with Denny Hamlin, is embroiled in a significant legal battle with NASCAR over its charter system, which guarantees race entries and revenue sharing. The dispute centers on an October 2024 antitrust lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, alleging that NASCAR’s take-it-or-leave-it charter renewal offer was coercive and monopolistic . ([Michael Jordan, fellow team owners head to federal court for hearing in antitrust fight vs. NASCAR – The Washington Post](
In response, NASCAR countersued, accusing the two teams of forming an “illegal cartel” by organizing boycotts and interfering with broadcast negotiations. The sanctioning body seeks triple damages and the removal of guaranteed starting positions for the teams if the lawsuit proceeds . ([NASCAR Is Countersuing Michael Jordan’s Racing Team, Says They Behaved Like an ‘Illegal Cartel’]( ))
Despite these legal challenges, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports secured a preliminary injunction allowing them to compete as chartered teams in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series. U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell ruled that the public interest favored allowing the most competitive teams to participate, ensuring fans could watch top drivers like Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace . ([Judge sets January date to hear NASCAR’s motion to throw out an antitrust lawsuit](
The legal proceedings are ongoing, with a trial scheduled for December 1, 2025. Both parties are preparing for a protracted legal battle that could have lasting implications for NASCAR’s governance and revenue-sharing model. ([Judge sets January date to hear NASCAR’s motion to throw out antitrust lawsuit](
