Michael Jordan is set to testify on Friday in a federal antitrust case against NASCAR, according to two sources close to the NBA Hall of Famer who spoke with NBC News.
The lawsuit, filed in 2024, has unfolded in a Charlotte, North Carolina courtroom since Monday. It involves Jordan-founded 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, which argue that NASCAR operates as a monopoly that suppresses competition by controlling revenue opportunities and enforcing a uniform car model and NASCAR-approved parts across teams.
NASCAR has consistently denied any misconduct. In October, the commissioner indicated the organization was actively seeking a settlement, even as the discovery process has revealed financial details and internal communications. NASCAR traces its roots to 1948, founded by Bill France Sr., and remains under family ownership and leadership.
Beyond basketball, Jordan has long-standing ties to motorsports. In 2019, he co-founded 23XI Racing with Curtis Polk and veteran NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, expanding his involvement in the sport alongside his ownership of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets in the past.
Court schedules can shift, but Jordan is anticipated to testify on Friday. NASCAR operates a charter system since 2016 that guarantees 36 teams entry into its top series and a share of the revenue. There has been ongoing debate about making charters permanent and increasing their value. In 2024, NASCAR proposed a model for revenue sharing with chartered teams; while several teams signed on, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports declined and subsequently sued.
Hamlin testified that he declined to sign the agreement because it felt like a potential “death certificate” for the sport’s future, emphasizing his commitment to growth as both a driver and team owner. He described the action as a push for accountability after experiences of perceived unfair treatment.
In the lawsuit, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports characterize NASCAR as “monopolistic bullies” and also raise concerns about NASCAR owning most of the tracks used in the circuit and about the approval process for non-NASCAR-owned tracks to host events.
Jordan has stated that the decision to challenge NASCAR was made to help smaller teams as well as his own venture.
Andrew Greif is a sports reporter for NBC News Digital.
