Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing Reaches Landmark Settlement With NASCAR After Monopolization Battle
Written by b87fm on 12/12/2025
Michael Jordan, left, shakes hands with NASCAR attorney Lawrence Buterman as NASCAR chairman Jim France, center, looks away, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, outside the federal courthouse in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)
Michael Jordan just secured one of the most consequential victories of his NASCAR tenure — and this time, it had nothing to do with a checkered flag.
Jordan’s 23XI Racing team, co-owned with Denny Hamlin, has officially reached a settlement with NASCAR after a high-stakes legal fight accusing the organization of operating like a monopoly, starving teams of revenue, and offering no long-term security. The deal was struck on the ninth day of testimony in front of U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell.
The terms? Still sealed.
The impact? Massive.
“Today’s a good day,” Jordan said, underscoring just how big the breakthrough was.
In a statement to NBC News, Jordan explained the heart of the lawsuit: forcing NASCAR to evolve.
“This has always been about making sure the sport grows in a way that supports everyone,” Jordan said. “Teams, drivers, partners, employees, fans. With a foundation to build equity and invest in the future — and a stronger voice in the decisions ahead. We now have the chance to grow together and make the sport even better for generations to come.”
The dispute dates back to last year, when 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports refused to sign the new charter agreement — a 112-page contract governing access to Cup Series races and revenue distribution. Thirteen out of fifteen organizations ultimately signed, but Jordan and Front Row’s Bob Jenkins held the line and filed suit. As a result, both teams ran the bulk of the 2025 season without charters, a risky position that threatened their very survival.
Both organizations later acknowledged that losing the lawsuit could’ve wiped them out completely.
Following the settlement, NASCAR and the plaintiff teams released a rare joint statement that sounded almost celebratory:
“What all parties have always agreed on is a deep love for the sport — and a desire to see it fulfill its full potential. This is a landmark moment. One that ensures NASCAR’s foundation is stronger, its future is brighter, and its possibilities are greater.”
Judge Bell, who presided over the trial, seemed just as relieved.
“I wish we could’ve done this a few months ago,” he said. “This is great for NASCAR. Great for the future. Great for the teams. And ultimately, great for the fans.”
A historic fight, a high-pressure gamble, and now, a reset for one of America’s most watched sports — led by one of its most influential owners.
