Michael Jordan’s co-owned company, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports jointly filed the suit against NASCAR and chief executive Jim France in the Western District of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing looks on during the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. (Photo-Getty)
New Delhi: NBA legend Michael Jordan’s co-owned racing team filed an antitrust lawsuit against the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and CEO Jim France on Wednesday.
The lawsuit, involving 23XI Racing which is co-owned by six-time NBA champion Jordan and Front Row Motorsports, was filed in the Western District of North Carolina in Charlotte. The former Chicago Bulls star is also a co-owner of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets.
‘The way NASCAR is run today is unfair’: Michael Jordan
In a statement released by 23XI, Jordan said that everyone knows that he has always been a fierce competitor and that drives him and the entire 23XI team to the track every week. He further added that he loves the sport of racing and the passion of the fans but the way NASCAR is run today is unfair to teams, sponsors, drivers and fans.
“Everyone knows that I have always been a fierce competitor and that will to win is what drives me and the entire 23XI team each and every week out on the track. I love the sport of racing and the passion of our fans, but the way NASCAR is run today is unfair to teams, drivers, sponsors, and fans. Today’s action shows I’m willing to fight for a competitive market where everyone wins” Jordan said in a statement.
‘Together, we are bringing this antitrust case so that racing can thrive’: Teams said in a joint statement
The lawsuit argues that the stock car racing circuit and its executives have been involved in anti-competitive practices that prevent fair competition. In a joint statement released by the teams said that together they are bringing the antitrust case so that racing can thrive and become a more competitive and fair sport.
“We share a passion for racing, for the thrill of competition and for winning. Off the track, we share a belief that change is needed for the sport we love. Together, we are bringing this antitrust case so that racing can thrive and become a more competitive and fair sport in a way that benefits teams, drivers, sponsors and, most importantly, fans” Teams said in a joint statement.
As per the lawsuit, The France family and NASCAR operate the organisation without transparency, suppressing exerting controls and competition which unfairly benefit them at the expense of team owners, drivers, sponsors, partners and fans.
The teams also accused NASCAR of anti-competitive practices as acquiring most of the racetracks for its own events and preventing teams from participating in other stock car races and also forcing teams to buy requiring parts from the suppliers chosen by NASCAR. The 23XI and Front Row did not sign recently updated NASCAR charter agreements, claiming the terms were unfair to teams.
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