Legal expert warns Michael Jordan-led antitrust battle with NASCAR could last years, with trial just beginning

A leading expert in sports law has warned that the trial will enter Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin's antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, which begins next week, is likely just the first chapter in a much longer fight.

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports (FRM) filed the case last October after the two NASCAR Cup the teams rejected the charter renewal proposal. The parties spent two days trying to settle the matter out of court earlier this month, but mediation efforts and settlement talks had failed. The trial will begin on the scheduled date, December 1.

Sports journalist Michael McCann explained how the trial verdict would not end the dispute.

“The trial won't be the last word, either. Any losing side can, and almost certainly will, appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The Fourth Circuit won't have the last word either, as the losing side could petition the U.S. Supreme Court. It's not out of the realm of possibility that this sports antitrust dispute, like many others in recent years, McCann wrote in recent years.

Each side hired the best sports litigators and spent heavily on legal work. Both NASCAR teams have already lost their noted team status. After the teams filed their lawsuit, a federal judge granted a temporary injunction allowing Michael Jordan's 23XI and Bob Jenkin's FRM to compete as charter teams while the case played out.

However, earlier this year, an appeals court overturned that injunction. As a result, the teams lost their charter status and competed as “open” tickets This put more financial stress on the teams as they lost guaranteed race spots and income.

On the other hand, a long, drawn-out test could also invite more trouble for NASCAR. this he could also face further legal action from another team owner, Richard Childressafter screenshots of chats from a group of NASCAR executives were revealed in recent court filings.

Michael Jordan and 23XI Racing ready to 'fight it out'

23XI and FRM challenged NASCAR's charter system and claimed that the sanctioning body has monopoly power in “first stock car race” blocking competition and limiting fairness.

Three months ago, 23XI's Michael Jordan said that wrestling was not about making money but about changing the sport for the better. The retired NBA Hall of Famer said: via Reuters:

“The point is, the sport itself has to change, for the fans, for the teams, and for NASCAR as well. … If I have to fight this to the end, for the betterment of the sport, I will.”

Michael McCann added:

“This trial will occur unless a settlement is reached over the Thanksgiving holiday.”

The ten-day jury trial is scheduled for next Monday in Charlotte, North Carolina.