Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 18, 2025 · Sports

Cigar in Greece: Michael Jordan's NASCAR Team Faces Legal Setback

Jordan was seen on the coast of Mykonos walking onto a dock while puffing on a cigar

BREAKING: Michael Jordan's NASCAR Empire on the Brink of Collapse

As the sun dipped into the Aegean Sea, Michael Jordan was sipping champagne and enjoying a luxurious yacht ride with his stunning wife Yvette in Greece. But little did he know, back in the States, his prized NASCAR team, 23XI Racing, was facing a major blow that could send shockwaves throughout the motorsports world.

A federal judge has rejected a request from 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports (FRM) to continue racing with charters while they battle it out in court against NASCAR. The teams' six cars will now have to compete as open entries, which means they won't be guaranteed a spot on the starting grid. This could lead to financial Armageddon for these cash-strapped teams.

Wearing a black baseball hat, camo shorts, sunglasses and Notorious B.I.G. t-shirt, Jordan didn¿t betray any emotion as he deboarded a motorboat for dry land

The news came as a major blow to Jordan's team, which is co-owned by the NBA legend and Denny Hamlin. The duo had hoped to continue racing with charters while their legal battle against NASCAR plays out in court. But Judge Kenneth Bell's decision has put the kibosh on those plans.

"It's like being forced to walk the plank without a safety net," said Jeffrey Kessler, the teams' attorney. "We're confident that our motion for a preliminary injunction is legally warranted and necessary, and we look forward to the court's full review."

The stakes are high, folks! With this ruling, the teams could be facing financial ruin if they don't qualify for races or can't secure sponsorship deals. It's a daunting prospect, especially since Jordan and Hamlin have invested heavily in their racing ventures.

23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at Echo Park Speedway on June 28 in Huntington, Georgia

But here's the thing: Bell left the door open for reconsideration if things change over the next two weeks. So, there's still hope on the horizon for 23XI Racing and FRM.

In the meantime, the teams are preparing to compete as open entries, which means they'll have to qualify for races based on their speed. It's a tough road ahead, but we're rooting for them to make it work.

This isn't the first time Jordan and Hamlin have clashed with NASCAR. They filed their federal suit against the organization last year after rejecting an extension offer on charters. The teams claimed that NASCAR was engaging in monopolistic practices and bullying tactics.

Denny Hamlin, another 23XI team co-owner, is seen leading the pack, including Wallace, during the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway

"We're not going to let them push our teams - or others - out of the sport they love," Kessler said. "We're confident in the merits of our case, and we remain focused on competing this weekend and continuing their playoff push."

The case has a December 1 trial date, but the teams are fighting to be recognized as chartered for the current season, which has 16 races left. A charter guarantees one of the 40 spots in the field each week, along with a base amount of money paid out each week.

So, what's next for Jordan and Hamlin? Will they find a way to overcome this setback and continue racing as chartered teams? Only time will tell, folks!

For now, we're left wondering what happened behind the scenes when Michael Jordan got wind of the news. Was he on the phone with his team, trying to figure out their next move? Or was he too busy enjoying his yacht ride with Yvette?

We may never know the answer, but one thing is for sure: this isn't the last we've seen of 23XI Racing and FRM.

Source: TheScholarlyNote.com