• Loading stock data...
Monday, September 29, 2025
Law

Judge Urges Michael Jordan, Co-Plaintiffs to Settle With NASCAR

A federal judge is urging Michael Jordan and his co-plaintiffs to settle an antitrust suit against NASCAR out of court because “it’s hard to picture a winner.”

Jun 8, 2025; Brooklyn, Michigan, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates with his team, holding up three fingers, one for each of his victories at Michigan International Speedway, after winning the FireKeepers Casino 400.
Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

A federal judge is urging Michael Jordan to settle his lawsuit against NASCAR out of court. 

During a Tuesday hearing in Charlotte, Judge Ken Bell of North Carolina’s Western District attacked both sides of an antitrust lawsuit in a lawsuit over NASCAR’s charter system. 

Jordan’s team, 23XI Racing, which he co-owns with racing legend Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports sued NASCAR in October calling the racing body “monopolistic bullies” that hoard revenue and push teams around in negotiations. The lawsuit came after both teams refused to sign a new charter agreement in September that the racing body offered. 

Charters guarantee racing teams’ entry to Cup Series races and access to the league’s revenues. Thirteen racing teams signed charters in the fall, with some teams contending they had no leverage regarding the terms. In court, Bell urged both sides to settle because he doesn’t see either of them as victor should the case continue. 

It’s hard to picture a winner if this goes to the mat—or to the flag—in this case,” Bell said. “It scares me to death to think about what all this is costing.”

The hearing was requested by Jordan and the co-plaintiffs to dismiss NASCAR’s countersuit, which accuses Curtis Polk–Jordan’s business manager—of violating antitrust laws by trying to rally other racing teams against NASCAR during charter negotiations. In the case’s discovery, NASCAR said it learned that Polk tried to form a “cartel” that involved charters boycotting races and refusing to negotiate with the racing body individually. NASCAR alleged that Polk cited Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father, in his talks with racing teams: “We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

Jordan is being represented by Jeffrey Kessler, a prominent antitrust attorney, who has represented Tom Brady in Deflategate and multiple professional sports unions. Kessler previously said NASCAR has failed to prove Polk or the Race Team Alliance did anything illegal while negotiating charters. 

“NASCAR knows it has no defense to the monopolization case so they have come up with this claim about joint negotiations, which they agreed to, never objected to, and now suddenly it’s an antitrust violation,” Kessler told reporters outside court on Tuesday. “It makes absolutely no sense. It’s not going to help them deflect from the monopolizing they have done in this market and the harm they have inflicted.”

Kessler added that the plaintiffs are open to settlement talks, but said NASCAR isn’t interested in renegotiating the charters. He plans to file an appeal before the end of the week on a preliminary injunction that was dismissed by a court panel to mandate NASCAR to recognize 23XI and Front Row as chartered teams while the lawsuit is ongoing. Kessler wants the injunction heard by the full appellate court because it is irrelevant to the case’s merits. 

There are 36 chartered cars for NASCAR’s 40-car weekly field. If 23XI and Front Row aren’t considered chartered, their six cars would have to compete as “open” teams, meaning they’d have to qualify weekly on speed in order to race and get less money than chartered teams. 

Bell hasn’t indicated when he would issue a ruling, but said he would decide quickly. Both sides are due back in court June 24 for another hearing. The case is scheduled to go to trial in December.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Belichick

Lawsuit Alleges UNC Illegally Hired Bill Belichick Behind Closed Doors

The former UNC provost cites three closed sessions related to sports.
exclusive

Cubs Deny Using Facial Recognition Technology Alleged in Lawsuit

Plaintiffs claim the Cubs collect biometric data without permission, which they deny.

FTC-Ticketmaster Lawsuit Could Reshape Sports Ticket Landscape

Government regulators allege a series of illegal activities.

Featured Today

Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Rory McIlroy of Team Europe hits out of the rough on the first hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 25, 2025

Ryder Cup in New York: Record-Setting Hopes and Fan Concerns

Organizers anticipate record attendance and revenue, but worry remains about fan behavior.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 22: Cameron Young of Team USA hits his tee shot on the third hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup Practice Round at Bethpage State Park on Monday, September 22, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 23, 2025

U.S. Ryder Cup Players Will Be Paid. Not Everyone Is Pleased

Americans are receiving a $200,000 stipend, and not everyone is pleased.
Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans co-founder and former owner Janice McNair (left) sits with Texans chief executive officer Cal McNair and wife Hannah McNair in front of family members of Texans former player Andre Johnson (not pictured) during a ceremony at halftime of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium.

NFL Sued for $100M Over Efforts to ‘Silence’ Brother of Texans Owner

Robert Cary McNair Jr. says the NFL helped remove him from roles.
Mar 26, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Detail view of the logo and basketballs during NCAA Tournament West Regional Practice at Chase Center.
September 26, 2025

Judge Dismisses Multiple Claims in Transgender Participation Lawsuit

The lawsuit was brought in 2024 by conservative activist Riley Gaines and others.
Apr 11, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (24) grabs a rebound during the second half against Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) at Moda Center.
September 26, 2025

RAJ Sports Sues Panda Express Owners for Dumping Them in Blazers Bid

RAJ Sports says it led a group that sought to buy the Blazers.
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
September 26, 2025

New York City Medical Examiner: Park Ave Shooter Had Evidence of ‘Low-Stage’..

The gunman targeted the NFL’s headquarters in the July shooting.
SUNY Geneseo is located just a block away from Main Street in Geneseo on Feb. 11, 2025.
September 22, 2025

NCAA, SUNY Geneseo Sued for Excluding Transgender Runner

The suit says state law supersedes the NCAA policy the school cited.
Baseball
September 18, 2025

NCAA Settles With Volunteer Baseball Coaches for $49 Million

A similar suit brought by volunteer coaches of other sports remains open.
Brian Flores
September 18, 2025

Brian Flores Says NFL Arbitrator Is Stalling in Discrimination Case

A new filing says the arbitrator has done nothing for a year.