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Latest Update on NASCAR Charter Dispute Involving Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Farah Ben Gamra | Last updated Sep 4, 2025 10:00 AM ET

NASCAR’s battle with two of its Cup Series teams took a big hit this week. 23XI Racing, co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports asked a federal court to give back their charters (licenses that guarantee a team a spot on the grid and a share of NASCAR’s revenue) while their antitrust lawsuit against the sport plays out.

Recently, private messages revealed in court caused quite a stir. Michael Jordan reportedly called teams that signed NASCAR’s new charter deal “f*ck*rs” and “p*ss*es,” warning they would “regret not joining us.”

Denny Hamlin wrote, “my despise for the France family runs deep,” while 23XI President Steve Lauletta added, “Being in for the long haul and Jim dying is probably the answer.”

NASCAR executives also fired off colorful emails, calling the charter terms a “dictatorship…tiny sport” and warning that talks needed a “middle position” or they’d be “dead in the water.”

Judge Denies Request to Restore Charters

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell made another unfavorable ruling, denying the teams’ request (Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass).

Judge Bell has DENIED the 23XI/FRM motion for preliminary injunction with NASCAR saying it will leave six charters (out of 40) available so if that is a remedy as a result of the trial, they are available. Therefore no irreparable harm.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 3, 2025

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports argued that the loss of their charters caused harm they could not repair, given that charters assure admission into the Cup Series full slate of races and valuable financial distributions.

But the Judge said, as far as the existing situation is concerned, NASCAR’s current practice of keeping the six charters that are disputed and modifying how teams qualify, meant that the status quo had been maintained (APNews).

For now, both 23XI and Front Row will run as open teams. While both teams can still compete, they will not have guaranteed spots, or the guaranteed revenue that comes with a charter.

NASCAR has agreed not to sell, lease or otherwise transfer the six charters while the case is pending which does allow for the chance that both teams will get back to their previous status.

The trial is set for December 1, at which point a jury will determine whether NASCAR’s charter system breaks antitrust laws and whether the teams will be able to recover their charters or be compensated for their lost value.

Also Read: Comedian Druski’s Viral NASCAR Skit Has Divided Fans

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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