Michael Jordan will become only the second Black owner in the NASCAR ranksNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Michael Jordan's decision to start a NASCAR team with Denny Hamlin with Bubba Wallace as its driver "adds tremendous value" to the sport, as Jordan is "one of the most iconic sports figures there's ever been, a huge name around the world and a smart businessman," according to FS1's Jeff Gordon. Gordon said, "I'm still kind of blown away that they were able to pull this all together as quickly as they did." FS1's Shannon Spake said the deal is "so much bigger than just the action on the racetrack." She added, "This is about moving the sport forward." Gordon: "NASCAR has been making some moves and decisions that show, 'Hey, we want to go long into the future.' This takes it to the next level. It elevates everything up that they've been standing for. There were just things that they had to move past, and this is what's going to help them move past that and show that we are about equality" ("NASCAR Race Hub," FS1, 9/22). In Toronto, Cathal Kelly writes if it is "possible to buy a sure thing in sports, Jordan just managed it." Between the "good press this brings a sport on the racial ropes and the money that comes attached to his newbie driver," there is "zero risk of any sort here for the principal." Even if Jordan ends up losing, "he's already won" (GLOBE & MAIL, 9/23).
BOOST OF STAR POWER: NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace yesterday said Jordan "will give NASCAR a much-needed boost in the right direction." Kenny Wallace added, "NASCAR got incredibly lucky here. We've had quarterbacks from the NFL try this before, but this is different. You know, this is the most famous athlete in modern time in the United States" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 9/23). FS1's Shannon Sharpe said, "This is not just anybody, this is Michael Jordan, arguably still one of the most recognizable faces and names in all the world." Sharpe: "This is a very good look for NASCAR" ("Undisputed," FS1, 9/22). ESPN's Israel Gutierrez said Michael Jordan and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin's new race team is "bringing in diverse fans which NASCAR has had a difficult time doing." Appearing on ESPN's "Around The Horn" yesterday, The Athletic's Frank Isola said, "It's a win-win all the way around for NASCAR. You put that Jumpman logo on the car, good for everybody" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 9/22). ESPN's Tony Kornhesier said, "This is wonderful if Jordan wants to get involved. I don't know how you make money in NASCAR, but if there's a way to make money maybe he's going to make money, and I think Black ownership in sports on all levels is good" ("PTI," ESPN, 9/22).
DREAM TEAM? ESPN.com's Ryan McGee wrote Jordan's reservations when it came to investing in NASCAR were exactly what JTG Daugherty Racing co-Owner Brad Daugherty "ran into with all the others." Jordan also had "done his homework on NASCAR racing as an investment, looking at previous efforts across all levels of stock car racing, backing at varying degrees of involvement by everyone from Randy Moss and Brett Favre to Julius Erving and Joe Washington to Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach." Some of the teams had success, but "all ultimately failed," and that "doesn't include the list of teams that never got off the ground, announced by the likes of Tim Brown, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and the Wayans brothers." For Jordan, the answer was Bubba Wallace, who has spent the '20 Cup Series season "on an upward trajectory of public recognition like nothing NASCAR has ever seen" (ESPN.com, 9/22).
