NASCAR settles federal antitrust case filed by 2 teams - ESPN

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR reached a settlement Thursday of the bruising antitrust lawsuit filed against the stock car series by two of its race teams, including one co-owned by NBA great Michael Jordan.

«Today's a good day,» Jordan said as he waited in the gallery for attorneys to announce the deal. Details were not immediately released.

The settlement came on the ninth day of the trial before U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell, who set aside motions hearing for an hourlong sidebar. Jeffrey Kessler, attorney for 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, emerged from a conference room at the end of the hour to inform a court clerk, «We're ready.» Kessler then led Jordan and 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin, as well as Front Row owner Bob Jenkins, to another room for more talks.

23XI and Front Row filed their lawsuit last year after refusing to sign agreements on the new charter offers NASCAR presented in September 2024. Teams had until end of day to sign the 112-page document, which guarantees access to top-level Cup Series races and a revenue stream, and 13 of 15 organizations reluctantly agreed. Jordan and Jenkins sued instead and raced most of the 2025 season unchartered.

Both teams said a loss in the case would have put them out of business.

Bell told the jury that sometimes parties at trial have to see how the evidence unfolds to come to the wisdom of a settlement.

«I wish we could've done this a few months ago,» Bell said in court. «I believe this is great for NASCAR. Great for the future of NASCAR. Great for the entity of NASCAR. Great for the teams, and ultimately great for the fans.»

All teams believed the previous revenue-sharing agreement was unfair, and two-plus years of bitter negotiations led to NASCAR's final offer,