Two NASCAR teams, including one owned by Michael Jordan, have filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR and its chairman, Jim France. They claim that the new charter system restricts competition by unfairly tying teams to the series, its tracks, and suppliers.
The lawsuit was filed in the Western District of North Carolina in Charlotte after two years of difficult negotiations between NASCAR and the 15 charter-holding teams in the top Cup Series.
“The France family and NASCAR are monopolistic bullies,” the teams stated in the lawsuit, which was shared with The Associated Press. “And bullies will continue to impose their will to hurt others until their targets stand up and refuse to be victims. That moment has now arrived.”
In early September, NASCAR made its final offer for a revenue-sharing model, which 13 teams signed, although many said they felt pressured to do so.
However, 23XI Racing, co-owned by Jordan and driver Denny Hamlin, along with Front Row Motorsports, chose not to sign.
They have hired Jeffrey Kessler, a leading antitrust lawyer known for representing players in major North American sports and advocating for athlete rights.
The lawsuit seeks information from NASCAR and France regarding their exclusionary practices and efforts to protect themselves from competition.
Kessler plans to request a preliminary injunction that would allow the two teams to compete in 2025 under the new charter agreement while the case is ongoing.
The teams are also looking for triple damages for the anti-competitive conditions established since the original charter agreement in 2016.
“Everyone knows that I have always been a fierce competitor, and that will to win is what drives me and the entire 23XI team each and every week out on the track,” said Jordan, the former NBA star.
“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. Today’s action shows I’m willing to fight for a competitive market where everyone wins.”
NASCAR, based in Daytona Beach, Florida, did not immediately comment on the lawsuit.
