Never say never. And who would know this better than Michael Jordan himself? Today, Michael Jordan is the proud owner of a NASCAR team 23XI Racing. However, interestingly, a few years ago, MJ outrightly denied any interest in becoming a NASCAR team owner.

In 2019, news regarding a special guest cheering for Denny Hamlin during the Cup Series finale made it to the headlines. And on the day of the race, the NBA legend Michel Jordan himself pulled into the speedway in his yellow Lamborghini.

But surprisingly,  back then, MJ had no idea what the future holds for him. During an interview with NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jordan revealed that he has always been a huge NASCAR fan. Furthermore, he shared that he has known NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin for around seven years, and was there to cheer him on the track.

However, MJ’s answer to one of Earnhardt Jr’s questions disappointed a lot of NASCAR fans including Dale himself. But who knew that the answer to that was about to change within a few months? During the conversation, Dale Earnhardt Jr asked Jordan, ” Well, you are an NBA owner of the Charlotte Hornets. Have you ever thought about becoming a NASCAR owner?” 

To this, MJ replied; “No, I got a lot on my plate. I love being a fan. I still understand the sport but in terms of ownership…Nah! I think I’m just gonna sit back and watch and support from afar.”

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Then how did Michael Jordan end up owning 23XI Racing?

In the Summer of 2020, news surrounding Michael Jordan expressing interest on investing in a NASCAR team made it to the headlines. And yes, that was months after his interview with Dale Earnhardt Jr at the Cup Series finale. However, MJ and his team repeatedly denied the rumors of him becoming an owner.

But one text from his long-time friend Denny Hamlin made all the difference. In an episode of Race: Bubba Wallace, Hamlin revealed that he came across one such speculative news article. He said; “I’ll never forget, I was on the ninth hole of my home golf course and I was like, ‘Should I send Michael this article? Let me get his temperature here’.”

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Furthermore, he shared; “And I sent it to him and he responded immediately, says ‘Haha, obviously fake news, not real, but if you want to make it real news let me know?'” And soon this text banter manifested into something concrete, and in 2021, 23XI Racing became a reality.