NASCAR settles with Michael Jordan, other plaintiffs in antitrust case

Story by

Josh Peter, USA TODAY

Thu, December 11, 2025 at 4:59 PM UTC

1 min read

The NASCAR antitrust trial has ended without an official winner. And without an official loser either.

Michael Jordan and the other plaintiffs settled with the sanctioning body of stock car racing, ending a fierce legal battle over whether NASCAR has used anticompetitive practices and harmed Jordan's racing team, according to the Associated Press and other media outlets.

(L-R) Charlotte Bobcats President Fred Whitfield and NBA legend Michael Jordan greet Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet, prior to the NASCAR Nextel Open on May 19, 2007 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Michael Jordan signs his autograph on a pair of shoes for Earnhardt.

Michael Jordan greets fans prior to the start of the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 19, 2007.

Michael Jordon high-fives the crowd during pre-race ceremonies prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 22, 2010 in Concord, North Carolina.

NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing, speaks to a crew member in the No. 23 DoorDash Toyota pit area prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 6, 2021 in Sonoma, California.

NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing, looks on from the 23XI Racing pit box prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Pocono Organics CBD 325 at Pocono Raceway on June 26, 2021 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing, looks on from the 23XI Racing pit box during the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on Aug. 8, 2021 in Watkins Glen, New York.

NASCAR Cup Series 23XI Racing owner Michael Jordan walks pit road with his wife Yvette Prieto during qualifying for the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on June 25, 2022 in Nashville.

NASCAR Cup Series 23XI Racing owner Michael Jordan talks with driver Ty Dillon (42) on pit road during qualifying for the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on June 25, 2022.

NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick's paint job with colors from UNC and sponsor Michael Jordan during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 29, 2023 in Concord, North Carolina.

Team 23XI Racing owner Michael Jordan looks on from pit road during qualifying before the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on June 24, 2023.

Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing (R), crew chief Robert Barker (C) and former NFL player Dwight Freeney talk on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on June 24, 2023 in Lebanon, Tennessee.

Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing, speaks to Bubba Wallace, driver of the No. 23 DoorDash Toyota, and Tyler Reddick, driver of the No. 45 Jordan Brand Toyota, on the grid during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Oct. 14, 2023 in Las Vegas.

NASCAR Cup Series Team 23XI owner Michael Jordan watches a video board as NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) races during the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 1, 2024 in Darlington, South Carolina.

Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing, looks on during the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 1, 2024 in Darlington, South Carolina.

The 2024 regular season champion, Tyler Reddick, driver of the No. 45 Upper Deck Toyota, poses with 23XI Racing's Curtis Polk, Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan after the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 1, 2024 in Darlington, South Carolina.

Co-owners of 23XI Racing, Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 FedEx One Rate Toyota, and NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan talk on the grid after the NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 6, 2024 in Talladega, Alabama.

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 Oct. 27, 2024 in Homestead, Florida.

Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing, and Tyler Reddick, driver of the No. 45 The Beast Killer Sunrise Toyota, celebrate after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Oct. 27, 2024 in Homestead, Florida.

Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing speaks, to Ryan Blaney, driver of the No. 12 Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford, after the NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Oct. 27, 2024 in Homestead, Florida.

Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing, looks on during the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 10, 2024 in Avondale, Arizona.

23XI Raching team owner Michael Jordan watches Tyler Reddick during the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on April 6, 2025 in Darlington, South Carolina.

Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing, looks on during the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Aug. 31, 2025 in Darlington, South Carolina.

Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing, listens to the race on pit road during the NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 5, 2025 in Concord, North Carolina.

Michael Jordan: 23 images of the NBA Hall of Famer, NASCAR team owner at races

(L-R) Charlotte Bobcats President Fred Whitfield and NBA legend Michael Jordan greet Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet, prior to the NASCAR Nextel Open on May 19, 2007 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Michael Jordan signs his autograph on a pair of shoes for Earnhardt.

The refusal to settle over the past year led to a showdown in federal court between NASCAR and the plaintiffs – Jordan and co-owners of 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. But on Thursday, Dec. 11, with the high-stakes trial moving closer to a verdict, the settlement brought the case to an abrupt halt at U.S. District Court of the Western District of North Carolina in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The trial was in its ninth day.

Meegan Hollywood, an attorney with Shinder Cantor Lerner law firm who specializes in antitrust cases, told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday, Dec. 10 that a settlement would not be a surprise. The alternative was to leave the outcome in the hands of the jury.

"It’s risky on both sides," Hollywood said.

Barak Orbach, a professor at the University of Arizona with an expertise with antitrust law, told USA TODAY Sports “one possibility to consider is that this entire trial (was) part of negotiation strategy.’’

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NASCAR resolves antitrust claims with Michael Jordan, plaintiffs

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