NASCAR’s position on blocking Michael Jordan and others from purchasing $50 million worth of assets from Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) remains firm, despite the growing interest in expanding ownership stakes within the sport. The governing body of NASCAR has expressed concerns that the proposed deal could breach its established ownership rules, which are designed to maintain fairness and competitiveness among teams.
The issue stems from a potential conflict of interest, as Michael Jordan, the basketball legend and current owner of 23XI Racing, already has a significant presence in NASCAR through his racing team. Jordan, who has become a key figure in the sport, is reportedly interested in acquiring a large portion of SHR’s assets, which include valuable equipment and resources from one of NASCAR’s top teams.
NASCAR’s rules restrict certain ownership structures to prevent excessive consolidation, ensuring that no single individual or group can gain too much control within the sport. NASCAR’s primary concern is maintaining a competitive balance, preventing a scenario where one entity has disproportionate influence over multiple teams. Although Jordan’s involvement in the sport has been welcomed by many, NASCAR officials have made it clear that they intend to carefully scrutinize any deal that could threaten the integrity of the sport.
While SHR and Jordan have not officially commented on the matter, sources close to the situation suggest that the negotiation is ongoing. Jordan’s potential involvement in SHR is seen as a bold move to strengthen his foothold in NASCAR, but it remains to be seen if the governing body will approve the deal. NASCAR’s ability to regulate ownership stakes in the sport is critical, and officials have indicated they will not hesitate to block any transaction that they believe undermines the spirit of fair competition.
