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NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 25: Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23xi racing and NBA legend greets Bubba Wallace (#23 23XI Racing Root Insurance Toyota) on pit road during qualfying for the 2nd annual Ally 400 on June 25, 2022 at Nashville SuperSpeedway in Nashville, TN. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 25: Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23xi racing and NBA legend greets Bubba Wallace (#23 23XI Racing Root Insurance Toyota) on pit road during qualfying for the 2nd annual Ally 400 on June 25, 2022 at Nashville SuperSpeedway in Nashville, TN. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NBA legend Michael Jordan has built himself a business empire after retiring from the NBA. Not only has he established himself in the sneaker world, but he also has inroads in the NBA and NASCAR.
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While many know about his association with the Charlotte Hornets, MJ also owns a NASCAR team. Popular African American driver Bubba Wallace represents 23XI racing owned by Michael Jordan and former NASCAR champion Denny Hamlin.
During an interview, Wallace recounted the events that led to his signing with Jordan’s team. A call by Hamlin set the two up which eventually led to their association.
Michael Jordan made a deal over the phone with his future driver
NBA legend Michael Jordan is one of the wisest when it comes to money. Thanks to smart investments and blockbuster deals, he has a massive net worth of $1.7 Billion according to Forbes.
He made history in 2021 as he became the first Black principal owner of a full-time Cup team since Hall of Famer Wendell Scott in 1973. Talking about how it all went down, Bubba Wallace touched upon his first interaction with MJ during an interview.
Wallace said, “Denny went down to play at the Grove and he texted me and he’s like, ‘hey, what are you doing at 6:30?’ I was like nothing, sitting on the couch. He’s like, all right I’m gonna call you.”
He then elaborates on how he never received the call on time. Rather, Hamlin calls him at 7 pm and he introduces Wallace to someone special. It is none other than NBA legend Michael Jordan.
Wallace further said, “It was my first time ever talking to MJ. He said, ‘hey, if we do this deal, ain’t no more running in the back.’ Like, digging at me and I’m like, off the roof. All right, sounds good, okay.”
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LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 26: NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan meets with co-owner of 23XI Racing Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota, prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Pocono Organics CBD 325 at Pocono Raceway on June 26, 2021 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Sean Gardner/23XI Racing via Getty Images)
Bubba Wallace made his debut for Michael Jordan’s team during the Daytona 500 series back in 2021. Interestingly enough, Wallace was a fan of Jordan while growing up. However, he was a fan of “Space Jam” starring Jordan rather than the NBA legend’s exploits on the court.
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What is your favorite memory of Michael Jordan? Let us know in the comments down below.
