The hue and cry around the new charter agreement is only growing. The deal between various competing owners and NASCAR would guarantee the former a confirmed spot in all the NASCAR races. However, NASCAR’s approach towards the team owners and their intentions has come under question. The charter agreement, which comes into effect at the beginning of the 2025 season and concludes in the year 2031, has divided the NASCAR fraternity between skeptics and enthusiasts.
There are team owners like Brad Keselowski of RFK Racing were the first to sign the controversial deal with NASCAR. On the other hand, there are teams like Front Row Motorsports and Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing, who have already taken opposing sides. However, one aspect of the deal on which almost all team owners agree upon is NASCAR trying to shove up the new charter agreement on teams.
Interestingly, while team owners may fall in line, they are visibly not happy with NASCAR’s attitude. The team owners’ disappointment is now confirmed by a NASCAR insider!
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Teams are likely to succumb to NASCAR’s raised eyebrows!
Usually, contrasting situations in sports these days succumb to the dollars and resources involved. NASCAR racing is no exception to that. When a new media rights deal with a valuation of a staggering $7.7 billion came into existence, team owners saw a solution in making one of their biggest problems- getting sponsorships for their teams. This is the reason most of the team owners wanted a piece of the cake. But it came with a sacrifice. The teams had to let go of the negotiation phase and agree on whatever NASCAR was providing them.
For some, it was a bearable repercussion to a visibly profitable deal for the sport and their team. But, some teams did raise a banner of discontent which has now developed into a full-scale standoff. Meanwhile, Jordan Bianchi of ‘The Athletic’ was talking about the same to Jeff Gluck on Dale Jr’s Dirty Mo Media. The renowned journalist said, “NASCAR, from what we understand them sends the 105-page charter agreement to the teams around 5 or 6 pm from what we were told on Friday night and they say you guys have until midnight to sign this.”
So, about the charter agreement … what do you know, Jeff and Jordan? 🖋️ pic.twitter.com/zJsJOic1N0
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) September 9, 2024
The unilateral approach from NASCAR may come as a shock to the fans. But what he says next is almost appalling. Reflecting on the approach that NASCAR officials took and the situation that the team owners had to face, Bianchi further added, “13 of the 15 team owners are not thrilled, but they fall in line. We have posted a story on The Athletic with a bunch of quotes from various team owners, most of whom did not want to be identified for fear of retribution. Is been compared to putting a gun in our head. One said, communist regime.”
Staggering? Who would’ve thought that the teams who are the reason behind all the racing adventures would receive such treatment from NASCAR? But it’s happening, much to everyone’s surprise. Most of the team owners have signed the charter agreement with NASCAR despite the controversy. But not everyone is willing to give everything up to NASCAR’s desires. Teams like Front Row Motorsports have expressed their concerns about the new charter agreement. However, Michael Jordan’s co-owned 23XI Racing is at the forefront of resistance to NASCAR’s unilateralism.
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Michael Jordan’s team’s stand on the new charter agreement
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23XI Racing has stood firm like a rock for the new charter agreement. Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s co-owned team wants a better negotiating position with NASCAR. This stand comes when NASCAR is not willing to give any space for deliberations. 23XI Racing had earlier released a statement on the situation after the team missed the deadline date to sign the charter agreement.“We notified NASCAR what issues needed to be addressed in writing, at the deadline. We are interested in engaging in constructive discussions with NASCAR. To address these issues and move forward in a way that comes to a fair resolution, while strengthening the sport we all love,” the statement read.
However, the standoff between 23XI Racing and NASCAR isn’t looking like coming to an end anytime soon. The recent theatrics between Curtis Polk and NASCAR is an evidence of that. At the regular season finale, Polk, the right-hand man of Michael Jordan on the team, pinned a sheet of paper to the back of his shirt that read: “Please don’t ask me about my Charter. I don’t want to disparage NASCAR and lose it.” NASCAR gave a fitting reply in return. During the presentation of the regular season trophy to Tyler Reddick, none of the sanctioning body’s representatives were present.
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Do you think the standoff between the 23XI Racing team and NASCAR resolved anytime soon? What are your thoughts on the recent row over the charter agreement? Do tell us in the comments.
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