Michael Jordan Earns Major Sports Victory in Court Settlement

Michael Jordan won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, and many consider him the greatest basketball player of all time. Jordan's accomplishments on the court are the stuff of legend, but his latest victory could have lasting effects for many years in an entirely different sport.

Jordan is a co-owner of NASCAR Cup Series team 23XI with driver Denny Hamlin. 23XI and another team, Front Row Motorsports, filed a lawsuit against NASCAR last year. The lawsuit alleged that NASCAR participated in monopolistic practices, bullying the teams that comprise the top-ranked stock car series.

On Thursday, NASCAR reached a settlement with the two teams that will make the charter system - essentially NASCAR's version of a franchise in other sports - permanent. 23XI and Front Row will have their charters restored after racing without them for most of the 2025 season.

MJ's Big Win Could Change NASCAR Forever

"Today's a good day," Jordan said on Thursday after the settlement was reached. Financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but an economist testified during the trial that  23XI and Front Row were owed more than $300 million in damages.

"What all parties have always agreed on is a deep love for the sport and a desire to see it fulfill its full potential," NASCAR and the two plaintiffs said in a joint statement after the settlement was reached.

"This is a landmark moment, one that ensures NASCAR's foundation is stronger, its future is brighter and its possibilities are greater."

U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell said that he wished the agreement could have been made months ago, but acknowledged that the settlement will be a net positive for the sport going forward.

"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," Bell said on Thursday.

NASCAR's Past, Present and Future

Under the previous framework within NASCAR, charters were renewable on a season-by-season basis, all at NASCAR's discretion. This put some teams at a significant financial disadvantage, one made worse by NASCAR itself choosing which vendors teams are allowed to buy parts and materials from.

The settlement will give teams more financial security, and in theory should allow them to compete on a more even playing field without worrying about their future on a year-by-year basis.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Season will officially begin with the series' most prestigious race, the Daytona 500. Fans can tune in to watch the first points-paying race of the 2026 season on Sunday, February 16 on FOX.