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Judge Denies Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Team Bid for Charter Injunction

By  |  September 4, 2025

A federal judge has declined to grant two NASCAR teams, including one co-owned by Michael Jordan, a preliminary injunction in their ongoing antitrust case against the racing organization.

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    On Wednesday, Judge Kenneth Bell of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina ruled that 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports would not receive temporary recognition as chartered teams for the remainder of the 2025 season. According to a statement in court documents, NASCAR assured the judge last week that it would not sell or transfer the six disputed charters until the trial concludes in December, making an injunction unnecessary.

    Bell emphasized that he does not intend to weigh in on the chances of either side winning before trial. “The Court believes that it is best not to provide its forecast of the Plaintiffs’ likelihood of success on the merits, and thereby potentially bias the jury pool,” he wrote. He also warned of the wider uncertainty surrounding the sport’s future if the dispute is not resolved before the 2026 season, noting the impact it could have on teams, sponsors, and fans.

    NASCAR responded positively to the ruling. Per a statement from the organization, the decision “brings much-needed clarity to the remainder of the 2025 NASCAR season.” The governing body also stressed its longstanding commitment to defending the integrity of the sport and promised fans that the lawsuit would not detract from the racing product on track.

    Read more: Michael Jordan’s Fiery Texts Surface in NASCAR Charter Antitrust Case

    Jeffrey Kessler, attorney for the teams, said he was encouraged by the outcome. He noted that Judge Bell’s ruling keeps the status quo intact, protecting his clients’ ability to continue competing and potentially reclaim their charters if they win in court. Kessler added that the decision reaffirmed the court’s authority to make significant changes to NASCAR’s system should the plaintiffs succeed at trial.

    The legal battle centers on NASCAR’s charter system, which functions much like a franchise model, guaranteeing teams both entry into races and a larger share of prize money. After two years of tense negotiations, NASCAR offered new charter agreements last year, which most organizations accepted. However, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports refused, leading to their exclusion from the charter group.

    Source: My Fox 8