? John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Reddick addresses ‘Unbannable’ paint scheme amid NASCAR lawsuit drama

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated Jan 30, 2025 5:32 PM ET

In the last week, 23XI Racing has caused a little bit of drama with a new Tyler Reddick paint scheme amid the drama of the NASCAR lawsuit. The “Unbannable” paint scheme was posted and then deleted and then posted again with some slight alterations to the graphic.

Controversy or simple coincidence? That is what a lot of fans were wondering. 23XI posted a graphic featuring their “Unbannable” Jordan Brand scheme, a reference to Michael Jordan’s first shoe that was almost banned by the NBA.

They then deleted the graphic only to post another one the next day with less reference to the “Unbannable” phrasing. 23XI and NASCAR are involved in a heated lawsuit, and there were fans who believed this had a double meaning.

After all, 23XI and Front Row Motorsports were almost “banned” from being chartered teams. That is until an injunction from the court granted them full rights of chartered teams for the 2025 season.

Tyler Reddick is focused on driving. Still, he was asked about the design and the potential confusion it could cause.

“Well I mean, Jordan Brand is a global brand, right?” Reddick said to Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “They have a life outside of racing and they sell shoes across the entire world. So, yeah, I can understand that but I know what the idea and what they’re going to do. … It’s a great-looking race car, I’ve gotten to see it at Air Speed a few times, obviously, you know, we’re going through tech today at Charlotte Motor Speedway.”

Tyler Reddick, during a media availability to talk about the Clash, said he could see where people might think it would be a little awkward when I asked him about having "unbannable" on his car considering the team's lawsuit against NASCAR. https://t.co/CylsBXPeUr pic.twitter.com/0n7eMGgSt6
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 30, 2025

Jordan Brand isn’t focused on NASCAR lawsuit

Now, Tyler Reddick is likely hoping 23XI wins the lawsuit against NASCAR. That doesn’t mean he is involved in the proceedings at all. His job is to drive the car. Also to his point, Jordan Brand is bigger than just the Cup Series. It’s a global brand that has its hands in a number of sports.

There is a whole rollout with Jordan Brand around this “Unbannable” branding. Even the Chicago Bulls are participating by altering the Jordan statue in the United Center. 40 years of Jordan Brand is a huge deal. Lawsuit aside, this was going to happen.

In the past, Reddick has had Jordan Brand schemes promoting different shoes. Luka Doncic and his signature shoe were part of a paint scheme partnership in 2023. There have been multiple examples.

So, there is no controversy after all. 23XI Racing and NASCAR are still involved in a lawsuit. But much of that is going to go on behind the scenes as the parties wait for a May date in the court of appeals.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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