NBA legend Michael Jordan has reached a settlement in his high‑profile antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, bringing an end to a federal case that had threatened major upheaval within the sport.
Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports had sued NASCAR after refusing to sign the organisation’s new charter agreements — documents that guarantee teams race entry and a share of prize money. The two teams argued the charters were unfair, lacked transparency, and failed to grant teams sufficient rights or financial returns.
The lawsuit accused NASCAR and its chief executive, Jim France, of stifling competition and maintaining control of the sport in ways that disproportionately benefited the governing body at the expense of teams, drivers, sponsors, partners and fans.
But in a joint statement released on Thursday, both sides confirmed they had reached a settlement. NASCAR will issue an amendment to existing charters, though financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
“From the beginning, this lawsuit was about progress,” Jordan said after the announcement. “It was about making sure our sport evolves in a way that supports everyone: teams, drivers, partners, employees, and fans.”
Jordan, who testified in court last week, said the settlement provides “a foundation to build equity and invest in the future” and gives teams “a stronger voice in the decisions ahead.”
Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing were the only two of NASCAR’s 15 teams that refused to sign the new charter agreements at the centre of the dispute.
NASCAR CEO Jim France welcomed the resolution, saying it secures the long‑term stability of the sport. “We worked closely with race teams and tracks to create the NASCAR charter system in 2016, and it has proven invaluable to their operations and to the quality of racing across the Cup Series,” he said. “Today’s agreement reaffirms our commitment to preserving and enhancing that value.”