Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, alongside the entire 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports teams, entered the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina on Monday, December 1, as the highly anticipated Denny Hamlin NASCAR antitrust trial officially began. After over a year of legal filings, failed negotiations, and back-and-forth allegations, the dispute has finally come before a jury, with both sides bracing for a pivotal legal battle.
At the heart of the proceedings, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports claim that NASCAR’s operational structure enables it to maintain a monopoly within the sport, heavily restricting how teams participate and conduct business. NASCAR, for its part, has firmly denied these allegations and repeatedly defended the legitimacy of its charter system, filing its own motions in response. With no agreement reached during previous discussions and settlement talks having collapsed, the parties now seek a definitive answer through the courts.
Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin, Curtis Polk, and Bob Jenkins, accompanied by lead attorney Jeffrey L. Kessler, made a conspicuous group as they walked into the courthouse. Jordan was visibly shocked by the gravity of the occasion, responding to a question from The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi:
“Can you believe we are here?”
Michael Jordan shook his head and responded:
“Nope”
Failed Settlement Efforts Heighten Stakes for All Parties
Sources close to the teams reported that Michael Jordan’s surprise was grounded in the exhaustive—and ultimately unsuccessful—settlement efforts that took place in October. Over the span of three days, representatives from both sides held intensive, closed-door meetings at the courthouse, striving to avoid a trial that would air their grievances publicly.
The attempts at negotiation proved fruitless, with NASCAR’s Chris Yates and 23XI-FRM’s Jeffrey L. Kessler both refusing to comment after the sessions ended. Judge Kenneth Bell personally oversaw these negotiations, a notable departure from routine procedure, and legal veteran Jeffrey Mishkin, former chief legal officer for the NBA, played a prominent role as a mediator. Despite these high-level interventions, neither side compromised, forcing the case into a scheduled summary-judgment hearing and, ultimately, a jury trial.
A ten-day window has been allotted for the trial. In that span, critical decisions are expected regarding not just the current dispute, but also the fundamental future of how teams and NASCAR manage their business relationship and authority within the sport.
Jordan Named as 23XI’s Court Representative, Exclusion of Other Owners Disputed
Ahead of opening arguments, 23XI Racing made a significant move by officially naming Michael Jordan as the team’s courtroom representative. The choice followed a contentious disagreement regarding courtroom procedure and the presence of team owners during witness testimony, a matter governed by Federal Rule of Evidence 615. NASCAR sought to bar two of 23XI’s three principals, Denny Hamlin and Curtis Polk, from remaining in the room to prevent any undue influence over the testimony, except when their own statements were being made.
23XI Racing responded by appointing Jordan as their protected representative and petitioned the court to allow both Hamlin and Polk to remain present for the entire proceedings. Kessler, leading the team’s legal fight, specifically argued for Polk’s inclusion given his status as a past counter-defendant in a since-abandoned countersuit.
Legal experts have commented that involving such widely recognized figures as Michael Jordan can intensify the psychological landscape for the jury and other participants. The presence of Jordan, with his global reputation and close ties to the proceedings, is believed to increase the pressure on all involved and raises the stakes of an already intensely negative and fraught trial.
Potential Outcomes and Impact as Trial Unfolds
The outcome of the Denny Hamlin NASCAR antitrust trial could prove transformative for both teams and the governing organization. With the current structure and authority of NASCAR under direct scrutiny and high-profile individuals such as Michael Jordan, Curtis Polk, Denny Hamlin, and Bob Jenkins personally invested, the implications extend beyond the courtroom. Observers anticipate that the court’s verdict may redefine the competitive landscape and balance of power within the sport, influencing how NASCAR interacts with its member teams for years to come.
Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin and other members of the 23XI/Front Row contingent arrive for today's trial.
"Nope," Michael Jordan said when I asked him if he could believe he was here for this trial. pic.twitter.com/WAzuWDtYeO
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) December 1, 2025
