NBA legend Michael Jordan appeared in a North Carolina courtroom on Monday as jury selection began for his federal anti-trust lawsuit against NASCAR. Jordan, who co-owns the 23XI Racing team in NASCAR’s Cup Series, is challenging the sport for monopolistic practices that he says limit competition.
The lawsuit, filed last year alongside Front Row Motorsports, claims NASCAR and its CEO Jim France operate without transparency and give themselves unfair advantages. The teams say NASCAR controls the sport in ways that harm drivers, team owners, sponsors, and fans. Specific complaints include buying top racetracks for exclusive NASCAR use, forcing teams to sign exclusive deals, blocking participation in other stock car races, and requiring parts to be bought from certain suppliers.
Jordan and Front Row were the only two of 15 teams not to sign NASCAR’s new charters, which are at the centre of the dispute. Jordan said, “I love racing and our fans, but NASCAR is run unfairly. I have always been a fierce competitor, and that drives the 23XI team every week.”
The case could have major consequences for NASCAR if Jordan and Front Row win.
