The federal antitrust trial against NASCAR, a case with potentially massive ramifications for American stock car racing, opened on Monday with an unexpected courtroom star: basketball icon Michael Jordan.
Jury Selection and Celebrity Spectacle
The trial commenced on Monday, 1 December 2025, before U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell in Charlotte, North Carolina. The process of seating a jury of nine people was notably influenced by the presence of the retired NBA Hall of Famer, who is the co-owner of the Cup Series team 23XI Racing.
Several potential jurors were dismissed due to their admitted bias towards Jordan. One man stated he could not be impartial because "I like Mike", while another confessed to having Michael Jordan posters on his walls growing up. In a lighter moment, a dismissed juror pointed and winked at Jordan on his way out, and another, who identified as a North Carolina fan, remarked that the American football team at Jordan's alma mater "aren’t doing too well right now", prompting a laugh and head shake from Jordan himself.
The Core of the Legal Battle
The lawsuit was filed last year by 23XI Racing, co-owned by Jordan and driver Denny Hamlin, alongside Front Row Motorsports. The central issue revolves around NASCAR's "charter" system, which acts as a franchise framework governing revenue sharing and team participation.
The plaintiffs allege that NASCAR operates as a monopolistic entity, using its dominant position to force teams into agreements on rules and financing with which they disagree. By refusing to sign extension agreements on new charters, the teams have taken the extraordinary step of challenging the sport's fundamental business model in court.
A Long Road to Trial
This landmark case has been building for over a year, moving through numerous hearings and arguments. Despite pressure from other NASCAR teams to reach a settlement, no agreement was found. Judge Kenneth Bell even attempted to mediate a resolution during a two-day summit in October, but those efforts proved unsuccessful, paving the way for this trial.
The proceedings are expected to last approximately two weeks, with opening statements scheduled to be completed later on Monday. The outcome could reshape the financial and operational landscape of one of America's most popular motorsport series, determining the balance of power between the sanctioning body and the teams that compete on its tracks.
