The ongoing 23XI Racing lawsuit against NASCAR has brought to the surface details about Denny Hamlin’s financial obligations to Michael Jordan, offering a rare glimpse into the money matters behind the racing team. With significant information surfacing, the financial structure of 23XI Racing—including Hamlin’s reliance on loans from Michael Jordan—has shocked many in the sport, putting the focus keyword Denny Hamlin debt Michael Jordan at the forefront of NASCAR news.
Financial Arrangements Behind 23XI Racing Exposed
The lawsuit between 23XI-FRM and NASCAR, which challenges NASCAR’s business practices and perceived monopoly, has already unearthed unexpected information about the sport’s financial ecosystem. What began as revelations regarding deals NASCAR struck with other teams and businesses has now evolved into a deeper issue involving the personal finances of team owners and drivers. Recent disclosures in court have brought attention to the financial burdens carried within 23XI Racing, specifically highlighting the nature and scale of Denny Hamlin’s debt to Michael Jordan.
Running a NASCAR team is widely recognized as a challenging and expensive endeavor, made even tougher under the present charter system. The turbulent state of NASCAR, now amplified by these legal revelations, has spurred concerns among team owners—including Richard Childress, who is reportedly considering his own legal actions against the sport. The current legal environment illustrates just how precarious and costly operating a racing team can be, even for prominent figures like Hamlin and Jordan.
Public attention intensified after Bob Pockrass, a well-known NASCAR reporter, shared financial details on social media regarding the partnership between Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan. According to information discussed in court, negotiations for acquiring a charter from the now-closed Stewart-Haas Racing outlined that Michael Jordan would shoulder 60% of the charter’s cost, while Denny Hamlin agreed to pay the remaining 40%. Furthermore, when establishing the team headquarters (Airspeed), both owners entered a 50-50 agreement, but Michael Jordan initially covered Hamlin’s share upfront, arranging for Hamlin to repay him in monthly installments. Legal filings also state that Michael Jordan has extended loans to Hamlin and the team to cover legal costs related to their ongoing lawsuit with NASCAR.
Some Jordan-23XI financial tea from emails/depositions:-MJ said he’d pay 60% for SHR charter; Denny would pay 40%-Denny and Jordan went 50-50 on 23XI real estate (Airspeed) and MJ fronted Denny the $, with DH paying him back monthly-MJ has loaned the team money for legal fees— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 24, 2025
These revelations about how 23XI Racing functions financially have sent ripples throughout the racing community. While the team may ultimately survive these disclosures, the damage could extend to its relationships with sponsors concerned about team solvency and management practices. Denny Hamlin, a prominent driver and part-owner, now faces scrutiny over his business acumen as he navigates the challenges of sustaining a top-level team through personal loans and revolving credit facilitated by Michael Jordan.
Lawsuit Trial Will Not Be Broadcast Live, NASCAR Insider Confirms
As the 23XI-FRM charter dispute edges closer to its day in court, additional procedural details have emerged regarding the trial. The impending lawsuit will be heard by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, a setting that prohibits live televised coverage common in other high-profile cases, such as the Amber Heard and Johnny Depp trial.
NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass clarified that federal court regulations forbid the presence of cameras during the trial. This restriction extends to all attendees in the courtroom—including journalists and members of the public—who are also barred from using phones to record or transmit during hearings. Consequently, live updates will not be available in real time from within the courtroom.
No cameras in federal court so no streaming of trial. And for those in gallery (reporters, members of public, etc) that includes phones. So updates during trial likely will come at breaks (or if a reporter is willing to leave while court is in session to provide an update).
Bob Pockrass said via X, @BobPockrass.
The absence of live coverage means journalists wanting to report promptly will have to exit the courtroom at intervals to file updates. This arrangement, while common in federal cases, adds another layer of complexity to the already intense lawsuit, limiting public and media access to unfolding developments in real time.
No cameras in federal court so no streaming of trial. And for those in gallery (reporters, members of public, etc) that includes phones. So updates during trial likely will come at breaks (or if a reporter is willing to leave while court is in session to provide an update). https://t.co/yDmAGnJm9F— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 25, 2025
This restriction underscores the heightened sensitivity and scrutiny surrounding the trial, while also signaling the delicate position racing’s top organizations and individuals now occupy with the public and their sponsors.
Potential Impact on NASCAR and the Future of Team Ownership
The legal battles unfolding in the 2025 NASCAR season reflect mounting concerns about fairness and financial security in stock car racing. The consequences for 23XI Racing, and team owners like Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, remain uncertain as the court process plays out. Relationships between teams, sponsors, and leadership figures like Richard Childress and reporters such as Bob Pockrass are now under added pressure as the sport copes with its internal challenges.
NASCAR’s leadership likely hopes for a swift resolution to these highly publicized lawsuits to help restore faith among business partners, drivers, and fans. Yet the revelations made in the case, especially regarding the Denny Hamlin debt Michael Jordan arrangement, have already left a mark. The intricacies of ownership, legal costs, and business risk are now part of the wider conversation in the industry. As this intense chapter continues, the ultimate outcome will influence how both major teams and small operations approach financial partnership and legal strategies in the future.
Some Jordan-23XI financial tea from emails/depositions:
-MJ said he'd pay 60% for SHR charter; Denny would pay 40%
-Denny and Jordan went 50-50 on 23XI real estate (Airspeed) and MJ fronted Denny the $, with DH paying him back monthly
-MJ has loaned the team money for legal fees— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 24, 2025
No cameras in federal court so no streaming of trial. And for those in gallery (reporters, members of public, etc) that includes phones. So updates during trial likely will come at breaks (or if a reporter is willing to leave while court is in session to provide an update). https://t.co/yDmAGnJm9F
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 25, 2025
