Michael Jordan made an appearance in a federal courtroom in North Carolina as the lead attorney for his racing team kicked off a trial against NASCAR, arguing the organization is a monopolistic bully tightly controlled by a wealthy family that harms competition in the top tier of the sport though restrictive contracts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are the only purchaser of racing team services,\u201d Jeffrey Kessler, a partner with Winston & Strawn LLP who represents Jordan\u2019s team and another team plaintiff, Front Row Motorsports Inc., told the jurors seated Monday in the US District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. <\/p>\n
The evidence will show that the teams \u201care getting a deal that is much lower than they would be getting if there was competition,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
NASCAR\u2019s counsel fired back, arguing that the organization\u2019s charter system for guaranteeing lucrative spots in the Cup Series maintains stability and enormous financial opportunity for teams such as Jordan\u2019s 23XI Racing. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think Mr. Kessler left you with the impression that NASCAR just dropped an agreement on the teams and said \u2018sign by midnight,\u2019\u201d said John E. Stephenson Jr., a partner with Alston & Bird LLP who represents NASCAR. \u201cThere were some 70 meetings. This thing was exhaustively negotiated.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both parties sparred for hours, setting off a trial<\/a> that\u2019s expected to last at least two weeks.<\/p>\n Jordan himself sat in the Charlotte courtroom, near his counsel, watching the attorneys present to nine jurors.<\/p>\n The outcome of the trial could have profound implications on NASCAR, which is facing potential damages and injunctive relief that could reshape its charter system.<\/p>\n