NASCAR Teams File Antitrust Lawsuit Against Series and Chairman Jim France

Two NASCAR teams, including one owned by basketball legend Michael Jordan, have filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against the stock car series and chairman Jim France. The lawsuit claims that the new charter system limits competition by unfairly binding teams to the series, its tracks, and its suppliers.

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports filed the suit in Charlotte, North Carolina, after two years of contentious negotiations with NASCAR. The teams accuse NASCAR of being monopolistic bullies and seek to challenge the exclusivity of the charter system.

The charter system, introduced in 2016, guarantees 36 entries in every Cup Series race and includes revenue sharing among the top motorsports series in the United States. However, the lawsuit argues that the system has left teams without a path to profitability and demands a fairer agreement.

The teams, led by Jordan and Front Row owner Bob Jenkins, are represented by top antitrust attorney Jeffrey Kessler. They seek more revenue, a voice in governance, and a cut from deals NASCAR earns off the names and likenesses of participants.

NASCAR has presented a final offer on revenue sharing, but the two teams have refused to sign. The lawsuit aims to challenge NASCAR’s practices and seek treble damages for anti-competitive terms that have dominated the sport since the charter agreement was first introduced.

The lawsuit highlights the struggle for teams to operate sustainably in a sport where financial vulnerability is a constant threat. With the support of Jordan and Jenkins, the teams are determined to fight for a more competitive and fair system that benefits all stakeholders in NASCAR.