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United in Battle: Michael Jordan Stands with Curtis Polk Amid NASCAR Lawsuit Controversy

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 18, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Michael Jordan Takes Aim: Legal Battle and Championship Hopes Define NASCAR’s 2024 Season Finale

Oct 27, 2024; Homestead, Florida, USA; 23XI team owner Michael Jordan watches during the Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

The storm brewing over NASCAR has taken a personal turn as NBA legend Michael Jordan sends a stern warning to the auto-racing body. This development is a consequence of the ongoing lawsuit drama, which has put a 30-year old bond under intense scrutiny.

At the heart of this escalating controversy is Curtis Polk, a prominent figure in the sport with an ownership stake in 23XI Racing. The focus shifted to Polk when NASCAR, in a countersuit filed in early March, singled him out as the central figure in the alleged plot. The move, seen as an attack on Jordan’s long-time confidant, has sparked a fierce response from the prosecution side.

The dispute began five months ago when 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports challenged the sport’s executives in a court of law. As the case unfolds, the details emerging paint a grim picture. NASCAR has accused Polk of colluding with other Cup Series teams, trying to influence them against signing the charter deal slated for 2024. Moreover, they hold him responsible for damaging the NASCAR image during media rights deal negotiations. Amid these serious accusations, Jordan’s faction remains unyielding.

Jordan and Polk share a deep bond, their association dating back to 1989. Polk has been Jordan’s advisor, managing his financial and business affairs, family office, and associated companies. Their joint ventures include managing Hornets Sports & Entertainment, launching Nike’s Jordan Brand in 1997, and enabling the creation of the 23XI Racing team. Hence, when NASCAR’s countersuit was met with a response, it was a unified one.

Jordan’s stance was unequivocally communicated by a spokeswoman, emphasizing the solidarity between him and Polk. She stated, “Curtis and MJ stand united. His perspective is if you are coming after Curtis, you are coming after him. He doesn’t look at this as just business. It’s personal.”

Representing NASCAR in the lawsuit, Christopher Yates criticized Polk’s understanding of the sport, suggesting that Polk wishes to remodel it more like the NBA or other league sports. However, Denny Hamlin, 23XI Racing co-owner, came to Polk’s defense, praising his business acumen and contribution to the team.

This isn’t the first time NASCAR has confronted someone who criticizes the sport. In 2015, Rob Kauffman of Fortress Investment Group faced similar opposition when he suggested reforms for the France family-owned series. Like Kauffman, Polk is driven by more than the thrill of racing; he seeks to understand the alleged monopoly of the series and proposes more equitable practices.

The ongoing drama has caused a rift within the NASCAR community. Last September, when NASCAR unveiled a new charter deal, several teams reluctantly signed the seven-year charter renewal agreement under a stringent 12-hour deadline. The refusal of 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to sign this agreement and their subsequent decision to take the matter to court has earned them both admiration and ire from other teams.

Many team executives declined to comment on the lawsuit during the race weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Some expressed concerns about the repercussions if Jordan’s team won, with NASCAR threatening to dissolve the charters entirely. Others dismissed this as an empty threat, considering the charter system has already been in place for seven years.

Despite the division, there are voices of support for Polk. As a former spokesperson for the Race Team Alliance, his contributions are remembered by many. Veteran team owner Richard Childress defended him, albeit subtly, stating, “Curtis hadn’t did anything that anyone else hadn’t did. He didn’t do nothing that everybody else on the RTA did and that’s all I will say. Curtis didn’t do anything to anybody and that’s the quote.”

As the legal battle intensifies, it’s clear that NASCAR’s offensive against Polk needs to be fortified. The staunch defense from not only Michael Jordan but also other Cup Series team owners is a testament to Polk’s standing in the racing community.

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