
Last week, the NBA legend Michael Jordan shocked everyone when 23XI Racing team filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR in federal court. Now, Jordan is speaking out to express his confidence in how this lawsuit will ultimately turn out.
Jordan Sounds Off
âI wouldnât have filed it if I didnât think I could win,” Jordan, 61, told The New York Times before Sundayâs race at Talladega Superspeedway. There, Jordan sat atop the pit box for 23XI driver Bubba Wallace.
In the lawsuit, Jordan’s team alleges that NASCAR operates as a monopoly and utilizes âanticompetitive and exclusionary practices.” NASCAR allegedly does this to âenrich themselves at the expense of the premier stock car racing teams.â
Readers may recognize this type of suit, which is similar to what the USFL brought against the NFL in the 80s.
This issue stems from NASCAR’s âcharter systemâ and a final âtake-it-or-leave-itâ offer the organization offered teams last month to extend their deal. Though 13 out of the 15 teams signed the deal last month, 23XI and Front Row held out.
Lest you think it’s all about money, His Airness insists it’s a matter of fairness: âWe want a fair deal, but this wasnât fair,” Jordan explained. “I didnât just file it for me. Itâs for everyone.”
Backstory: Michael Jordanâs 23XI Racing And FRM Sue NASCAR In Bold Power Play
Jordan’s Previous Comments On NASCAR Lawsuit
Last week, Jordan addressed the lawsuit in a blistering statement.
âEveryone 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,” he said at the time. “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. Todayâs action shows Iâm willing to fight for a competitive market where everyone wins.â
It seems Jordan isn’t alone, either. After news of the lawsuit broke, one team owner said, âIâve been waiting on this. This is going to be wild.â
At the time of this writing, NASCAR has declined to comment on the lawsuit. When approached about this on Sunday, NASCAR chairman and CEO Jim France replied, âExcited about our championship battles and looking forward to a fantastic race today.â
Related: Friend Insists Michael Jordan, 61, In Good Health After Fans Worry About Yellow Eyes
NASCAR Lawsuit Calls Out France
This came after the lawsuit specifically slammed France.
“The France family and NASCAR are monopolistic bullies,” the lawsuit stated. “And bullies will continue to impose their will to hurt others until their targets stand up and refuse to be victims. That moment has now arrived.”
“Unlike many major professional sports leagues like the NFL or the NBA, which are owned and operated by their teams, NASCAR has always been privately owned by the France family, including current CEO and Chairman, James (âJimâ) France,” it continued. “By exploiting its monopoly power over the racing teams, NASCAR has been able to impose anti-competitive terms as a condition of a teamâs access to competitions.”
Jeffrey Kessler, a lawyer for the plaintiffs who specializes in sports antitrust issues, spoke out to say that he is eager to get his hands on NASCARâs financial information through pretrial discovery.
âThat is one of the advantages of federal antitrust litigation,â he said. âWe will be able to obtain financial records…we will be able to follow the money. We will be able to see exactly how exploitative this system has been and how much injury itâs inflicted on the teams and drivers.â
It is believed that tomorrow, on October 8, 23XI and Front Row will file a preliminary injunction in federal court. Only time till tell how Jordan’s NASCAR lawsuit plays out.
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