Fans rally to ‘protect MJ’ after Michael Jordan’s shocking move against NASCAR sparks fear for NBA legend’s safety

Fans are apprehensive that Michael Jordan just put a goal on his back.

23XI Racing, the auto racing team co-owned by the NBA legend, was certainly one of two teams that recently filed a federal lawsuit against NASCAR CEO Jim France.

On Wednesday, October 2, Jordan’s team and Front Row Motorsports filed a federal antitrust lawsuit in Charlotte, accusing the stock automobile racing authority of “monopolistic bullies that engage in anticompetitive practices.” The Associated Press reports that 23XI Racing and Front Row said of their lawsuit that “NASCAR’s new charter system limits competition by unfairly tying teams to the series, tracks and vendors.”

The teams said this “unlawful monopolization” didn’t merely lead to “enrichment” on the expense of the teams and their drivers, according to a replica of the lawsuit obtained by the AP. Both teams claim that these allegations violated Sections 1 and a pair of of the Sherman Antitrust Act (1890). How Illustrated sports cited in Article 1 of the Antitrust Act. “Every contract, trust or other arrangement, or conspiracy to restrain trade or commerce among the several states, or with foreign nations, is hereby declared illegal.”

September 7, 23XI Racing confirmed that they didn’t sign a take-it-or-leave-it NASCAR charter agreement because they “did not have the opportunity to fairly negotiate a new charter agreement.”

Statement further“We notified NASCAR in writing what issues needed to be addressed by the deadline. We are occupied with engaging in constructive discussions with NASCAR to address these issues and move forward in a way that leads to a good resolution while strengthening the game all of us love.

They ended the statement by reaffirming their commitment to the game, but alluding to questioning NASCAR’s practices. “At 23XI Racing, we remain committed to the highest level of competition while remaining steadfast in our belief that NASCAR should be governed by fair and equitable practices.”

He and Jordan co-own 23XI Racing with skilled NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin and sports agent/executive Curtis Polk. Bob Jenkins is the only real owner of Front Row Motorsports.

The lawsuit says the inequities stem from the France family and its longtime owner of NASCAR.

“Unlike many major professional sports leagues, such as the NFL and NBA, which are owned and operated by their teams, NASCAR has always been privately owned by the France family,” the lawsuit says.

In the documents, Polk, who also acts as Jordan’s sports agent, stated that “racing teams receive only about 13% of NASCAR’s steadily growing revenues, which include television deals signed since 2001 worth about $23.1 billion.”

ESPN reports that Jenkins revealed that he has never made a profit since founding his Front Row racing team in 2005. The outlet added that even after its driver Michael McDowell won the 2021 Daytona 500, Front Row didn’t break even for the season.

23XI Racing and Front Row released an album joint statement “expressing their passion for racing,” they hope the antitrust case will “benefit teams, drivers, sponsors and, most importantly, fans.”

Jenkins’ statement said that after 20 years in racing, it was time for a change. “We need a more competitive and fair system where teams, drivers and sponsors can be rewarded for our collective investments by building long-term enterprise value, just like any other successful professional sports league.”

“Everyone knows I have always been a fierce competitor and that will to win drives me and the entire 23XI team every week on the track,” Jordan said, referring to the suit. “I like racing and the fervour of our fans, but today’s NASCAR is unfair to the teams, drivers, sponsors and fans. Today’s motion shows that I’m ready to fight for a competitive market where everyone wins.

After Source They shared the story of the lawsuit on Instagram, and their followers suggested that increased security across the six-time NBA champion is perhaps vital.

“Jordan you better watch out… you see what these boys did to Diddy,” one follower said.

This person was referring to some old Air Jordan dirt. “They are going to bring up his past gambling problems and explain why the NBA booked him and made him retire.”

Another added instructions on why fans should display Jordan.

“Protect MJ. They will try to finish him off 😒 This Man is simply too wealthy. He’ll take 1 / 4 of what MJ asks for and pay someone to get away from him. Be careful”

Others had a special opinion and didn’t see how Jordan’s suit had anything to do with Diddy or put the NBA legend at risk.

“Her(s) come the black men who try to pull another brother down with their nasty, vindictive, evil mind, crab in a barrel, always praying for the other black man to fall. This man is suing the company for “unfair practices,” and here are black people trying to make him the next Diddy. Why are so many of us Black people like this towards each other?” said one commentator.

Another person said Jordan and Diddy’s situation is totally different: “What does this have to do with Diddy? Completely different situations! Entirely! Stop making us look bad by not understanding what happened.

NBC News as well as that the plaintiffs retained Jeffrey Kessler to represent them within the case. Kessler has a protracted history of specializing in sports antitrust issues and representing unions and players.

At the time of publication, NASCAR had not provided a press release regarding the lawsuit.