A key dignitary in the world of sports, Curtis Polk is the right-hand man of Michael Jordan. The 66-year-old Sports Agent has worked with the six-time NBA champion since 1989. Along with representing Michael Jordan in the basketball world, he is also a key figure in Jordan’s NASCAR pursuit. Polk is a co-owner of Jordan’s NASCAR Cup Series team 23XI Racing – which has been the hot topic in a recent legal lawsuit. Incidentally, Polk has been pinpointed by NASCAR authorities as the center of the plot. But first, let us delve a little bit into Curtis Polk’s background.

Who is Curtis Polk?

Although little information is available about his early years, Curtis Polk’s professional journey has been well documented. He is a Sports Agent and Executive Vice-President with SFX Entertainment in Beverly Hills, California. It represents Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, and Juwan Howard among many other recognized names in sports. Polk helped create Falk Associates Management Enterprises in 1992. In 1996, he negotiated four of the NBA’s five highest-paying contracts of the time.

When Michael Jordan owned the NBA Charlotte Hornets, Curtis Polk was the team’s vice chairman. Polk reworked Jordan’s relationship with Nike after Jordan retired from playing. He convinced the brand of Jordan’s power as an endorser despite having his own shoe brand.

All these achievements landed Curtis Polk notable awards. Sports Business Journal’s “Forty Under Forty” highlighted him. Then Sporting News’ “100 Most Powerful People in Sports” named him twice. Polk also has a philanthropic side, investing his time and resources in the Juwan Howard Share the Care Foundation as well as various local Jewish organizations.

How is Curtis Polk related to NASCAR, and why is he being sued?

Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin created 23XI Racing back in 2020, intending to be a top contender in the NASCAR Cup Series. Closely involved with them was Curtis Polk, who is also a key stakeholder in the team. The race team has come a long way since its creation – accruing ten Cup Series race wins with Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick. However, 23XI is facing a long uphill road ahead in the NASCAR lawsuit. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports filed an anti-trust lawsuit against NASCAR in October 2024, claiming that the sanctioning body is engaging in monopolistic practices in the charter system. Recently, however, NASCAR played an offensive move against them – especially pointed at Curtis Polk, who apparently led the teams like an “illegal cartel.”

On 5th March 2025, NASCAR filed a counter-lawsuit against the two teams and Curtis Polk. The statement read: “Beginning no later than June 2022, Counterclaim Defendants engaged in a conspiracy and agreement in unreasonable restraint of interstate trade and commerce, constituting a violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act. Curtis Polk knowingly and actively orchestrated and participated in this illegal conspiracy, while working as a member of the TNC (Teams Negotiation Committee) on behalf of the RTA and aiding 23XI’s and Front Row’s participation in the scheme.”

Trending

1

Stars Finally Align for Richard Petty’s Iconic $14.1 Billion Manufacturer to Make Their Return to NASCAR

2

Three Years After NASCAR Exit, Kurt Busch Announces 7-Word Devastation as He Eyes Cup Series Return

3

Samantha Busch Shows Her Real Self to the World as She Boldly Flaunts Her “Curly-ish Hair”

4

Richard Childress’ Youngest Grandson Insinuates Payback Against Roger Penske’s Star Amid NASCAR’s Silence

5

Kaulig Racing Claims Over $100,000 in Damages by Roger Penske’s “Unlawful” Driver After COTA Retaliation

What is the feud between NASCAR and 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports?

Time for some context. In September 2024, NASCAR released the new charter agreement for 2025 onwards and offered a small time window to sign it. 13 of 15 Cup Series teams signed it, some team owners admitting that they felt ‘coerced’ into signing this new deal. But only 23XI Racing and FRM stood out. A month later, they slapped NASCAR with an anti-trust lawsuit. Before proceeding with dissecting 76 years of NASCAR’s alleged monopolistic practices, the teams had to secure their 2025 Cup seats. Or else they risked competing as open teams with no guarantee of race seats or purses.

Initially, the federal court denied the teams’ preliminary injunction, citing a lack of evidence of actual harm. NASCAR had also dropped a request to uplift the lawsuit altogether. But in mid-December 2024, Judge Kenneth Bell recognized the possibility of the teams’ drivers opting to leave – and granted both teams their 2025 season’s charters. Now NASCAR is attempting to play the offensive, by a counter lawsuit.

What is in store for Curtis Polk and the teams after NASCAR’s countersuit?

The countersuit reflects NASCAR’s serious approach to the lawsuit. In its statement, it accused both 23XI Racing and FRM of trying “to weaponize the antitrust laws to achieve their goals.” The sanctioning body pinpointed Curtis Polk as the mastermind, claiming that his “individual role was at the very center of the plot to use collusive behavior to extract more favorable commercial terms from NASCAR in the Charter negotiations.” 

However, the team’s legal representative, Jeffrey Kessler, clarified his client’s intentions. “My clients’ lawsuit has always been about transforming NASCAR into a more competitive and fair sport for the benefit of drivers, fans, sponsors, and teams because of their love of the sport. Every major sport goes through a transition to competition when antitrust claims are asserted, and that moment has come for NASCAR.”

Kessler also asserted that the battle will be ongoing nevertheless. “Today’s baseless filing changes nothing. We are confident in the strength of our case and look forward to presenting it at trial.”

Will the charter system continue in NASCAR after facing a lawsuit?

Charters have been in place since 2016 in the sport. They guarantee teams not only a starting spot in every race but also a guaranteed payment plan. According to the new media rights deal, the financial structure includes nearly 50% of the money from the new media rights deal from 2025-2031. But NASCAR has already hinted at a possible dissolution of this charter system in case Curtis Polk and the teams were to win the case.

Chris Yates, NASCAR’s lead attorney, answered queries about a possible settlement. He said it would be conditional and therefore is not too hopeful for a peaceful end to the lawsuit. “We’ll obviously comply with that, but … this is not going to be a renegotiation of the 2025 charter. That’s not going to happen. … I don’t see a great path to settlement.” The counter-lawsuit will be a part of the jury trial scheduled for 1st December 2025 in the U.S. District Court in Charlotte, North Carolina. Yates also said that he will seek a summary judgment.