• Loading stock data...
Monday, April 28, 2025

Michael Jordan Starts NASCAR Team, Signs Bubba Wallace as First Driver

  • Jordan will become the first Black majority owner of a full-time race team in NASCAR’s premier series since NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Wendell Scott owned and raced his own car.
  • Wallace is currently the lone Black driver in NASCAR.
Matt Slocum/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Network

Michael Jordan is now the majority owner of a single-car NASCAR team, with Bubba Wallace as his driver. 

The NBA great, along with three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, purchased a NASCAR Cup Series Charter that will debut in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series. 

Wallace, having a breakout season, announced in early September that he would not return to Richard Petty Motorsports, with which he had made all of his 105 career starts at NASCAR’s highest level.

RPM had offered Wallace an ownership stake in an effort to get him to stay with the team in 2021 and beyond. 

Wallace has five top-10 finishes this year, including a fifth-place finish in the regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway, also the site of his career-best finish: second in the 2018 Daytona 500.

Wallace, the only Black driver in NASCAR, emerged as a prominent voice for social justice campaigns in the wake of multiple police killings of unarmed Black people over the summer and spoke out against the presence of the Confederate flag in the sport.

Jordan is now the first Black majority owner of a full-time race team in NASCAR’s top series since Wendell Scott, a NASCAR Hall of Fame member, owned and raced his own car from 1963-73. 

In a statement, Jordan said: “Growing up in North Carolina, my parents would take my brothers, sisters and me to races, and I’ve been a NASCAR fan my whole life. The opportunity to own my own racing team in partnership with my friend, Denny Hamlin, and to have Bubba Wallace driving for us, is very exciting for me. Historically, NASCAR has struggled with diversity and there have been few Black owners. The timing seemed perfect as NASCAR is evolving and embracing social change more and more. In addition to the recent commitment and donations I have made to combat systemic racism, I see this as a chance to educate a new audience and open more opportunities for Black people in racing.”

Bubba Wallace

Bubba Wallace Attracting Sponsors Following Rise in Visibility

Bubba Wallace has emerged as one of NASCAR’s most marketable drivers as…
August 12, 2020

It is the latest business move this year for Jordan, who is also the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets. He previously took an equity stake in DraftKings, while also being named a special advisor to the company’s board. Jordan and his brand also pledged $100 million over the next 10 years to organizations dedicated to “ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education.”

Hamlin, who was Jordan Brand’s first NASCAR athlete, said that he and Jordan became friends after meeting 11 years ago at a Charlotte Bobcats game. He will remain the driver of the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.

“Starting a race team has been something that Michael and I have talked about while playing golf together over the years, but the timing or circumstances were never really right,” Hamlin, 39, said in a statement. “It just makes sense now to lay the foundation for my racing career after I’m done driving and also help an up-and-coming driver like Bubba take his career to a higher level. Plus, Michael and Bubba can be a powerful voice together, not only in our sport, but also well beyond it.”

Hamlin was an owner in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series in February, for which Jordan designed a Jumpman-themed No. 23 car. 

NASCAR said in a statement it “proudly welcome[s] Michael Jordan into the NASCAR family, and look[s] forward to watching Michael, Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace compete in 2021.”

“His presence at NASCAR’s top level will further strengthen the competition, excitement and momentum growing around our sport,” it said.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jun 21, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics majority owner Wyc Grousbeck holds the Larry O’Brien trophy prior to the Boston Celtics championship parade.

The Celtics Succession Plan Remains Murky

The transfer of power to a private-equity group is still unresolved.
Apr 13, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Jake Mangum (28) scores a run against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

The Rays Groundskeepers Are Adjusting to Life Outside the Dome

After nearly three decades in a dome, Tampa groundskeepers were forced outside.

The Former NBA Agent Who Became a Pickleball Deputy Commissioner

Chris Patrick went from representing Jimmy Butler to pickleball deputy commissioner.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.

Featured Today

Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Paige Bueckers is interviewed by ESPN after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards

ESPN’s WNBA Coverage Mirrors the League’s Stunning Growth

“I don’t think we stand still in our coverage of women’s sports,” says Rowe.
Mar 16, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with guard Isaiah Joe (11) after score in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.
April 20, 2025

Unorthodox OKC: The Thunder Redefined Tanking to Become NBA’s Best

A rebuild years in the making has OKC in the driver’s seat.
Mar 13, 2020; Augusta, GA, USA; The front entrance at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Friday morning. The Masters Tournament has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns.
opinion
April 20, 2025

What’s It Like to Play Augusta? A Day on the World’s Most..

Inside a round at the most exclusive club in the world.
Dec 9, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) watches as center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates after making a three point basket to clinch a win against the Toronto Raptors near the end of the fourth quarter at Scotiabank Arena
April 19, 2025

Same Owner, New Knicks: New York’s Remarkable Rebound

The franchise’s renaissance didn’t happen overnight.

Max Verstappen Linked to $300M Aston Martin Deal Ahead of Miami GP

Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors championship.
March 20, 2025

High School Sports Power Signs Eight-Figure Rights Deal in First

The deal pays roughly $1 million annually, FOS has learned.
March 27, 2025

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

This week, Two-time Super Bowl Champion and CBS NFL analyst Logan Ryan joins us to talk the business of sports on our third installment of Portfolio Players.
March 20, 2025

Maxx Crosby’s Agent: Edge Rushers Set to Dominate NFL’s Non-QB Market

Maxx Crosby just signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension.
March 4, 2025

Eagles Make Saquon Barkley NFL’s Highest-Paid Running Back Ever

Barkley is coming off a historic 2024 season with the Eagles.
February 18, 2025

Tiger Woods Signs First PGA Tour Player to Wear Sun Day Red

Karl Vilips will wear Sun Day Red at his season debut at the Mexico Open.
Teammates embrace during matchup in The Hundred cricket league
February 15, 2025

Google, Microsoft, Adobe CEOs Buy Stakes in Cricket League

The England and Wales Cricket Board raised £520m by selling team stakes.