“It's personal”: $3.5 Billion-rich Michael Jordan breaks silence on NASCAR’s ‘illegal cartel’ claims with a strong warning

Michael Jordan has reportedly broken silence over his ongoing legal battle with NASCAR. The NBA legend and co-owner of 23XI Racing has made it clear that the fight against NASCAR’s charter system has exceeded the business perspective, it’s personal now. Alongside his longtime advisor and business partner Curtis Polk, Jordan has sent a strong warning to the racing series which has extended the feud between the two parties.

The conflict began in October when Jordan’s 23XI Racing, along with Front Row Motorsports, filed a joint antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR. The suit alleges that NASCAR’s charter system— a franchise-like model that guarantees teams financial security and a place in all 36 Cup Series races— unfairly restricts competition and limits teams’ independence.
The lawsuit directly called out NASCAR chairman Jim France and his family, branding them as "monopolistic bullies." However, NASCAR swiftly retaliated with a countersuit, accusing 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and Curtis Polk of forming an "illegal cartel."
Polk, a longtime business strategist for Jordan and co-owner of 23XI Racing, was specifically targeted in the countersuit, with NASCAR claiming he orchestrated an attempted boycott of the Daytona 500 qualifying races. This accusation prompted a fiery response from Michael Jordan.
“Curtis and MJ stand united. His perspective is if you are coming after Curtis, you are coming after him,” said the spokeswoman. “He doesn’t look at this as just business. It’s personal.”
NASCAR attorney Christopher Yates further escalated the dispute by questioning Polk’s understanding of the racing world. "I don’t think Mr. Polk really understands the sport," Yates told The Associated Press. "He’s done a lot of things that might work in the NBA or might be OK in the NBA but just are not appropriate in NASCAR."
This statement did not sit well with Denny Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner and co-owner of 23XI Racing.
"That’s like saying a chef doesn’t know how to cook," Hamlin said. "He’s built Michael Jordan’s empire for the last 30 years. The guy knows the business."
"Curtis has just been fantastic for our team and certainly a pioneer, I believe, and a trailblazer for new ideas that our team uses every single time we hit the racetrack and how we do business."
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The case is set for trial in December, following the 2025 NASCAR season. Hamlin and Jordan-owned 23XI Racing was founded in 2020 and is based in Huntersville, North Carolina. Amid the intense legal battle, it would be interesting to see what steps that $3.5 billion rich NBA legend takes as all eyes are on Jordan’s stance in the feud.