23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan hasn’t always been a one-sport man. Even when he was dominating the basketball court wearing the #23 for the Chicago Bulls, he enjoyed playing golf. His passion for basketball was limited not only as a player but also as a team owner. He became the part-owner of the Chicago Hornets in 2006 and bought a majority stake in 2010.

During this time, no one in their wildest dream could’ve imagined Michael Jordan switching lanes and owning a NASCAR team. But things changed when he was introduced to JGR driver Denny Hamlin, who pitched him the idea about the race team. And that did the trick for Jordan, who since then has been enjoying his stay in NASCAR.

While the NBA Hall of Famer was, at times, accused of not being present at the racetrack in support of his team, the 2024 year has been different. Tyler Reddick further emphasized it by helping Jordan experience what it feels like to be in the victory lane twice this season.

Is Michael Jordan shifting his focus entirely to NASCAR?

It is indeed difficult to believe that MJ is shifting his alliance from the courts of basketball to the ovals of NASCAR. He claimed this while being trackside during the Southern 500 race. “I don’t have basketball anymore, but this could replace it very easily, I’m excited for today.” It is important to note that Jordan sold off his majority ownership stakes from the Chicago Bobcats last year. And ever since, he’s been more and more invested in his role at 23XI Racing.

His driver Tyler Reddick knows how involved Jordan is with the team, and he’s seen him evolve in the two years he’s been with the team. “It’s been nice getting to know Michael, him getting to know me and understand on top of it how passionate he is about racing. You know my first conversation was something that he made even more apparent to me, but it’s just also I’ve been seeing it through his actions, through his excitement over these last two years too.”

Just like the last-second three-pointer in the NBA, NASCAR has the last-lap chaos. While the pendulum can swing either way, Michael Jordan and the #45 team found themselves on the sweeter side of things at Homestead Miami Speedway. And it was quite an emotional roller coaster of a ride for Michael Jordan, who witnessed his driver pull off a last-lap clutch performance, racing his way into the Championship 4.

For Michael Jordan, NASCAR is not just a business. The sport remains deeply rooted in the basketball legend’s DNA. As a kid, his father James often took Michael and his siblings to different Winston Cup Series races. Cut to a few years later, when Michael Jordan established himself in the NBA, he returned to the track whenever he could. Following his retirement, his NASCAR investment continues to be one of his biggest ventures and one that’s paying off. With Tyler Reddick’s entry into the Top 4, 23XI Racing is on cloud nine. In just a few seasons, they established themselves as a team capable of going for the Cup Series trophy. Reddick showed off marvelous performances throughout the season. More importantly, as 23XI’s President also explained, if the team manages to lift the trophy, it effectively ensures the team’s continued presence.

While the prospect of Reddick winning the NASCAR Cup Series championship is massive for 23XI Racing, there’s also a flip side to this story. Which might see the team losing out on their championship-caliber driver for the 2025 season.

Tyler Reddick could be a free agent at the end of 2024

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Out of the 15 teams, 23XI Racing and FRM have rebelled against NASCAR after declining to agree to the new charter agreement. To have a fair and equitable business model, the teams have taken NASCAR to court and filed an anti-trust lawsuit. But, to secure their driver sponsors, the teams have filed for a preliminary injunction. Which will allow the two teams to compete as chartered organizations next year. Now, this isn’t indeed an ideal condition for a race car driver who, on the one hand, is racing for the championship but is unsure about his future at the team.

In case the court rejects the team’s plea for the injunction, 23XI Racing will have to run as an open team. That means no secured position on the starting lineup, no extra payouts, and additional TV revenues. The two parties were present in court on Monday, and while the decision is still pending, there’s a lot to talk about.

Going by the update Bob Pockrass shared on X, the 2024 regular-season champion Tyler Reddick can leave the team if 23XI Racing has to race as an unchartered team. Meanwhile, the team has gone on to purchase a third charter. And there’s no confirmation regarding the transfer of its ownership. NASCAR is the one who gives the go-ahead when it comes to the transfer of a charter from one ownership group to another.

The fate of Tyler Reddick and others working at 23XI depends on the court ruling, which is expected to be delivered by this Friday.