Michael Jordan reveals why he took NASCAR to court

Michael Jordan and 23XI Racing made headlines in 2024 when they took NASCAR to court alongside Front Row Motorsports in what turned into a drawn-out antitrust case, but the basketball legend says he didn't take legal action out of malice for the sport he loves. 

In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Jordan, the co-owner of 23XI alongside NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, explained why he decided to take the privately owned sporting company to battle in the courtroom. 

Why Michael Jordan took NASCAR to court

"It's not like I just woke up and said, 'You know what? I'm going to go and attack NASCAR,'" Jordan told CBS' Gayle King. "I've been a supporter for NASCAR for a long period of time. But I was focused on what I was doing, which was basketball."

It was when Jordan became a team owner that he realized what went on behind the scenes. 

"It was lopsided," Jordan said, referencing the revenue splits between NASCAR and its teams. "It was wrong. The sport was not set up for success long-term for the individuals that's involved in this sport. Up top, yeah. They were making a good living."

The case eventually went to trial in December 2025 and was settled. But Jordan's side did get several provisions, most notably the establishment of permanent charters, NASCAR's version of franchises, guaranteeing team owners that what are essentially $40 million pieces of paper guaranteeing starting spots and purse portions are a worthwhile investment. 

"I was nervous," Jordan said. "I was all in. I was gonna win. This fight was needed. I went in with the idea that even if I lost, I won."

Ironically, it's 23XI that is off to the hottest start in the 2026 season, with driver Tyler Reddick winning four of the first seven races and holding an 82-point lead over Ryan Blaney in the Cup Series standings after Sunday's race at Martinsville.