Michael Jordan is widely known as the greatest NBA player of all-time. The former Chicago Bulls great won six NBA championships. The billionaire Nike athlete is one of the most famous Americans of all-time, thanks to his basketball career.
But does he like another sport more?
Jordan is currently a NASCAR owner. He and Denny Hamlin are co-owners of 23XI Racing, which features Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace. Reddick has opened the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season with three straight wins. Jordan, 63, could not be happier.
"I'm proud of the team we put together," Jordan said following the third straight win, as he credited co-owner Denny Hamlin as being the "mastermind" behind its racing success.
"I just put up the money. Denny's done an incredible job building this team."
Jordan is already planning on being at the next race in Phoenix, Arizona, to see if his driver can go 4-for-4.
But as Jordan continues to have success in NASCAR, some are starting to believe that he actually likes the sport more than he does basketball and the NBA.
Is it true?
"I can't explain it, but despite winning 6 NBA titles, NASCAR seems to be the place where Michael Jordan loves winning the most. And he shows it on camera. And it's pretty (expletive) cool to watch," NASCAR reporter Tyson Winter shared on X.
"Used to plan Saturdays around watching him play. A killer. And the whole time he was probably thinking I can't wait to go start a NASCAR team 😂😂."
HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 27: Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing walks the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 27, 2024 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) James Gilbert/Getty Images
It's no secret that Jordan loves NASCAR
While Jordan starred in the NBA, he hasn't been around the sport that much since retiring. He did own part of the Charlotte Hornets, but ultimately sold his stake in the team. He hasn't been seen at too many NBA games or events since.
On the flip side, Jordan has been extremely involved in his NASCAR ownership and the sport as a whole.
"I watched MJ's entire career in Chicago. It's still funny to me that this NBA icon in his heart of hearts is just a hillbilly that wants to go fast," one fan joked.
"It's crazy people are arguing lol, you can see the joy in his face and tone when he is talking about the team," one fan added.
"He didn't dump money into basketball. Basketball dumped money into him. He's dumping money into NASCAR. When you invest your earnings into something that earns more, you're gonna be happy. Spectacularly failing at owning his basketball franchise probably helps, too," one fan added.
Do you think the legendary NBA star likes NASCAR more than the sport of basketball at this stage of his life?
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