Hampton, Georgia (AP) – Michael Jordan and NASCAR are at a standstill, and the outcome might be disastrous for both parties. Last weekend, NASCAR succeeded in getting 13 organisations, all but two, to sign a new revenue arrangement after more than two years of difficult discussions. The deal was made less than 48 hours before Atlanta Motor Speedway hosted NASCAR’s playoff opener. Several teams told The Associated Press that they felt under pressure to accept the deal, which was described as a “take it or leave it final offer,” because time was running out to sign.
Who did not sign the agreement?
Jordan and the 23XI Racing team he co-owns refused to sign the deal Friday night. Front Row Motorsports, a much smaller organization, surprisingly took the same stance as high-powered 23XI.
23XI and Front Row are the only two current chartered organizations that did not sign extensions that run through 2031. Because of a non-disparagement clause NASCAR added to the latest offer, almost none of the teams that signed are willing to talk on the record about the negotiations and how they eventually gave up on three of their critical demands.
23XI is largely represented in the charter fight with NASCAR by co-owners Denny Hamlin and Jordan confidant Curtis Polk, who arrived at Atlanta with two typed pages of notes he read to reporters to explain why the team did not take NASCAR’s offer
