Michael Jordan's legal battle with NASCAR took a turn this week, with the former NBA legend firing off a warning amid an ongoing feud.
Jordan, owner of the NASCAR team 23XI Racing, has joined another team to file an antitrust lawsuit against the stock car series. NASCAR filed a countersuit aimed at Curtis Polk, Jordan's business partner, claiming he led a mutiny that included a boycott threat against the Daytona 500.
Jordan's team and Front Row Motorsports held out from signing a charter offered by NASCAR that includes guaranteed entry for teams into every NASCAR Cup Series points race and introduces a revenue-sharing model.
NASCAR attorney Christopher Yates took aim at Polk, saying he wrongly wants NASCAR to reflect the structure of the NBA.
"I don't think Mr. Polk really understands the sport," Yates told The Associated Press. "I think he came into it and his view is it should be much more like the NBA or other league sports. But it's not. No motorsport is like that. He's done a lot of things that might work in the NBA or might be OK in the NBA but just are not appropriate in NASCAR."
Jordan shot back with a warning to NASCAR, saying the attacks on his longtime business partner are also an attack against him.
"Curtis and MJ stand united. His perspective is if you are coming after Curtis, you are coming after him," a spokesperson said. "He doesn't look at this as just business. It's personal."
As The Sun noted, the "ugly" feud includes an allegation from NASCAR that Jordan's team is operating as an "illegal cartel."
Related: Could Shaq's Latest NASCAR Project Lead to Renewing His Rivalry With Michael Jordan?
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This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 9:26 PM.