On Wednesday, 23XI Race, the crew co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan, announced that it had filed an antitrust lawsuit with Front Row Motorsports and NASCAR CEO Jim France, alleging that the sport’s governing figure had unjustly stifled fair competition.
In particular, 23XI and Top Row criticized NASCAR for purchasing racetracks and imposing luxury on designated locations, acquiring rival set ARCA in 2018, preventing teams from competing in different investment races, and forcing teams to purchase parts from NASCAR-selected suppliers.
No other significant professional sports in North America is managed by a single community that exploits these kinds of monopolistic practices, according to the parties ‘ statement.
” Anyone knows that I have always been a brutal competitor”, Jordan said in the speech. ” I love the sport of racing and the love of our viewers, but the way NASCAR is run today is unfair to groups, owners, partners and followers”.
The costs come amid a battle over NASCAR’s contract program. 13 organizations officially signed new, protracted agreements last month that would allow them to share a portion of NASCAR income while continuing to compete. But, Front Row and 23XI refused to give up hope that the teams should have a larger audience for the biggest racing competition in the country, with some even considering their probable permanent status.
According to 54-time NASCAR race victor and 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin,” when I look round, I see that the best and most competitive sports in the world understand that when teams thrive, viewers benefit,” Hamlin said in a statement. ” With the right shifts, we can definitely make that a real in racing”.
In their lawful battle, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have retained Winston &, Strawn LLP, led by Jeffrey Kessler, a well-known sports work agent.
The businesses said they intend to document a preliminary injunction while working toward a legal decision to allow them to contest following year under the 2025 contract arrangement.
23XI Racing was founded in 2020 while Front Row Motorsports, owned by Bob Jenkins, has been racing full-time since 2005. Jenkins has stated that he has not yet made a gain in the company. 23XI won its first regular-season final this time, with the playoffs continued.
NASCAR did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit right away.