Image: NASCAR’s Instagram
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NASCAR and Front Row Motorsports, and 23XI Racing team’s legal battle has taken a huge turn. On Thursday, text messages from NBA legend and co-owner Michael Jordan, NASCAR, and the two teams were revealed per the Associated Press.
After Front Row and 23XI refused to sign extension agreements on a charter agreement with the stock car racing giant and CEO, Jim France, in September, the two teams filed suit alleging monopolistic practices. It led to NASCAR revealing its plans to sell off the two charters, which open doors for 36 chartered teams to enter the 40-car field each week.
U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell has claimed that NASCAR’s charter system payment might get delayed if a settlement between the parties isn’t reached before the trial date, December 1, 2025. He further explained how everyone will be affected by this, as both parties will suffer significant losses. NASCAR’s executive vice president and chief strategy officer, Scott Prime, had one controversial text in the leaks that has made headlines.
“Pick a date and (teams) can either sign or lose their charters. It is that simple.”
The fact that you get Michael Jordan to become a team owner in your struggling sport, and instead of embracing it, you piss him off with a terrible charter agreement and force him to sue you.
NASCAR ownership is so braindead https://t.co/uuTzPvE4sw
— James: Cal Raleigh Appreciator (@mariner_duck) August 28, 2025 Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Team Is At The Center Of A Legal Showdown
Michael Jordan is one of the biggest NBA stars in history. The legend’s name coming up in this legal battle with NASCAR could certainly be troublesome for him.
Jordan’s NASCAR Team has claimed that the teams aren’t struggling financially, as proved in its leaked text messages. Jordan claims his team co-ownership is a hobby, but he could only play so much golf. He also revealed that he’s lost a significant amount in the casino while talking about the impact on finances due to this controversy.
The NBA Hall of Famer has revealed he is willing to end the fight. However, if NASCAR wins the case and 23XI and FRM both lose their charters permanently, it will require them to qualify to compete in every race in the future. Jordan could call it quits and lose the battle, ultimately leading to a major loss for NASCAR.
“NASCAR better hope they don’t lose Michael Jordan.”
No. They want him out.
Michael Jordan represents power and (rarely) fails.
If a guy like MJ loses and 23XI goes under, nobody will ever challenge the France family again. They will have 100% control of stock car racing. pic.twitter.com/d2FwjGITeZ
— Digital Gashouse (@DigitalGashouse) August 29, 2025 How Exposed Texts Raise Bigger Questions About The Charter System
The leaked messages also had some explosive texts from NASCAR’s executive vice president and chief strategy officer, Scott Prime. He wrote to NASCAR executives about having all the leverage and how the teams will be forced to sign whatever terms they present to them.
Steve also wrote how executives simply needed to pick a date, and teams could either lose their charters or sign. NASCAR has taken steps to shut down teams from potentially joining together to introduce a new competing racing league. They entered an agreement with track owner Speedway Motorsports that prevents their Next Generation cars from racing in another series.
Things have certainly heated up in the NASCAR since Thursday’s hearing. NASCAR will be moving forward with transferring ownership of up to six charters, three for Front Row and three for 23XI, before the December trial. The trial seems to be escalating quickly, and the people are tuned in to watch all the drama.