Steve Phelps comments on Michael Jordan – Sports News
Michael Jordan is the co-owner of NASCAR Cup Series workforce 23XI Racing (Image: Getty)
Soon-to-be former NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps’ relationship with NBA icon and 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan has seen its peaks and a few main lows of late, courtesy of the high-profile antitrust lawsuit, which seems to have in the end introduced the previous’s time within the sport to an finish.
Phelps introduced on Tuesday that he could be stepping down from his function on the finish of January, simply two weeks forward of the Cup Series opening Daytona 500.
This follows the year-long lawsuit, which noticed 23XI and Front Row Motorsport take on NASCAR following their determination to not signal the controversial new constitution settlement, alleging “monopolistic” conduct on NASCAR’s half.
The go well with in the end went to courtroom in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Dec. 1, after the 2 sides had been beforehand unable to succeed in a settlement. After eight days in session, a settlement was lastly reached, with NASCAR agreeing to grant groups evergreen charters.
As such, as an alternative of charters solely lasting the identical period because the lively TV broadcast settlement, as had been the case, they’d basically be thought-about everlasting from right here on in, with each 23XI and FRM returning to working as constitution groups, which that they had misplaced out on during the 2025 season as a outcome of the then-ongoing go well with.
Steve Phelps first joined NASCAR in 2005 (Image: Getty)
The financial phrases of the settlement weren’t disclosed; nonetheless, antitrust litigators steered that NASCAR would have needed to shell out tens of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} to the 2 groups.
Fast ahead to January 6, and Phelps introduced he was stepping down from his function, having first joined the group in 2005. He wrote, “As a lifelong race fan, it gives me immense pride to have served as NASCAR’s first Commissioner and to lead our great sport through so many incredible challenges, opportunities and firsts over my 20 years.
“Our sport is built on the passion of our fans, the dedication of our teams and partners and the commitment of our wonderful employees. It has been an honor to help synthesize the enthusiasm of long-standing NASCAR stakeholders with that of new entrants to our ecosystem, such as media partners, auto manufacturers, track operators and incredible racing talent.
“As I embark on new pursuits in sports and other industries, I want to thank the many colleagues, friends and especially the fans that have played such an important and motivational role in my career. Words cannot fully convey the deep appreciation I have for this life-changing experience, for the trust of the France family and for having a place in NASCAR’s amazing history.”
One such good friend is Jordan, who co-founded 23XI in 2020 with Cup Series star Denny Hamlin. Recently, Phelps admitted that the lawsuit had strained his relationship with the NBA legend when talking with the Daily Mail, though he remained assured their friendship would endure.
Phelps defined that he discovered it “unfortunate he decided to go in this direction,” however that, regardless, “Michael and I have known each other a long time, and I consider him a friend… we’ll get through this, and Michael and I will figure out our future together.”
That being stated, Phelps additionally admitted to not being “thrilled about the lawsuit but we have to defend ourselves, which we’re doing vigorously, and I look forward to getting it behind us.
“Because what I do know: it doesn’t help anyone. It certainly doesn’t help the sport. And I’m looking forward to its conclusion and making sure that the sport comes together and continues to grow.”
Unfortunately for Phelps, his fame seems to have taken a main hit over the course of the final couple of months, due to the release of beforehand personal messages he had despatched, which had been made public during the pre-trial discovery part in addition to during the trial itself.
Arguably, probably the most eyebrow-raising comments of all made by Phelps, which had been revealed mid-trial, got here on the expense of Hall of Fame workforce proprietor Richard Childress during constitution negotiations.
“Childress is an idiot. If they don’t like the state of the sport, sell your charter and get out,” Phelps wrote, going on so as to add, “Did I mention Childress was an idiot?”
But Phelps wasn’t carried out there, going on to label the 80-year-old “not smart,” “a dinosaur, and a malcontent,” including, “He’s worth a couple hundred million dollars — every dollar associated with NASCAR in some fashion. Total a–clown.”
If these comments weren’t brutal enough, maybe the worst was but to come back, with Phelps saying, “Childress needs to be taken out back and flogged. He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR.”
Not solely did Childress subsequently threaten to file a lawsuit of his own in response to those comments, however one of NASCAR’s most notable sponsors, Bass Pro Shops, laid into the group within the kind of a prolonged public letter as a outcome of Phelps’ comments.
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