Tensions escalated dramatically during the latest court hearing on the ongoing NASCAR 23XI Front Row lawsuit as explicit text messages between the clashing parties including Michael Jordan were uncovered.
The controversial situation was laid bare during a tense court hearing in Charlotte, North Carolina, where communications involving NASCAR executives, 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan, business manager Curtis Polk, driver and co-owner Denny Hamlin surfaced, exposing deep animosities and disputes that underlie the lawsuit.
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports stand as the only two teams that refused to sign NASCAR’s new charter agreement extensions last September, a crucial development that led to their filing of a federal antitrust lawsuit against the governing body.
The NASCAR charter system is akin to a franchise model seen in other professional sports, guaranteeing teams a stable position in each race and a share of revenue.
While 13 other teams agreed to the new agreements under terms offered by NASCAR, 23XI and Front Row alleged that these deals were unfairly restrictive and monopolistic, prompting their move to court to fight what they characterize as anti-competitive behavior.
During Thursday’s court proceedings, messages exchanged between key figures were disclosed, revealing a strained and at times unprofessional interaction between the parties.
NASCAR 23XI Front Row lawsuit: Jordan and Hamlin’s fiery texts
NASCAR uncovered text messages between Michael Jordan and his manager Curtis Polk disparaging Joe Gibbs Racing for signing the charter agreement as the legendary basketball icon expressed confidence that teams would regret not aligning with 23XI and Front Row in challenging NASCAR’s terms.
Jordan: “Gibbs signed?“
Polk: “Yep, sounds like he got thrown a bone at the 11th hour that is going to be documented in a side letter but I don’t know what that issue is.”
Jordan: “F*****s! I think people understand our fight. Good things will come from this. Teams are going to regret not supporting us. P*****s!“
Similar bitterness was evident in Denny Hamlin’s texts to 23XI Racing president Steve Lauletta where he expressed a profound disdain for the France family, NASCAR’s ruling dynasty.
Hamlin stated: “In short, I’m in for the fight with NASCAR. My despise of the France family runs deep, but whatever we do, please lets not sabotage our own business over principle when it comes down to it. Love you all and thank you for allowing me to be a part of it.”
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The plaintiffs presented their own evidence against NASCAR executives with text messages dated April 2024 from executive vice chairwoman Lesa France-Kennedy, CEO Jim France, EVP chief strategy officer Scott Prime, president Steve O’Donnell and commissioner Steve Phelps.
Lesa France-Kennedy described the April meeting as “productive,” but suggested the teams “won’t get everything they want” but might reach a middle ground.
Steve Phelps responded sharply, calling the meeting “insanity,” revealing an internal chart evaluating agreements in terms of which party gained more value. Phelps also emphasized NASCAR’s desire to ensure any deal yielded “zero wins” to the teams.
Steve O’Donnell disparaged the teams stating “they won’t get everything they want”, though close sources defended his comments as an attempt to protect team interests against the family’s hardline stance.
O’Donnell: “Lesa called. Spoke to Gary (Crotty), Mike (Helton) and Jim (France). They all thought meeting was productive and that we just need to keep trying for to move the needle.
“Teams won’t get everything they want and hopefully we can just meet in the middle. I just listened as she didn’t want to hear any opinions but I of course didn’t hold back.
“I just asked for someone in the mtg to point out how any of our positions are going to grow the sport and position us for a big rights renewal in the future.”
Phelps: “Productive? Insanity. Look at the Amanda chart – zero wins for the teams. The draft must reflect a middle position of we are dead in the water – they will sign them but we are f****d moving forward.”
Prime: “The approach of ‘here is a bit more money, f**k off everywhere else’ is a bold strategy.”
O’Donnell: “And one that Lesa said both Mike and Gary thought is getting us close. Close to a comfortable 1996, f**k the teams, dictatorship, motorsport, redneck, southern, tiny sport.”
NASCAR announced plans in court filings to allocate two of the disputed charters – currently held by 23XI or Front Row – to another team ahead of the 2026 season, a move that the plaintiffs argue would cause irreparable harm and breaches existing contracts.
Federal Judge Kenneth Bell who was overseeing the case warned prolonged litigation will hurt both sides.
“Everybody is going to get hurt if this thing goes a certain way,” Bell said. “If either party feels certain they are going to win, they’re wrong.”
After the hearing, Michael Jordan told the media he is willing to see the case go to trial.
“Look, I’ve been a fan of the game for a long period of time,” Jordan said. “When we first started this whole process I’ve always said I want to fight for the betterment of the sport.
“Even though they tried to point out that we’ve made some money, we had a successful business. That’s not the point. The point is that the sport itself needs to continually change for the fans as well as for the teams.
“As well as as for NASCAR, too, if they understand that. I feel like we made a good statement today about that and I look forward to going down with fire. If I have to fight this to the end, for the betterment of the sport, I will do that.”
The NASCAR 23XI Front Row lawsuit is set to continue with a trial scheduled on December 1, 2025.
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