Michael Jordan has never been one to back down from a challenge, and that includes defending NASCAR drivers against claims that they aren't true athletes. The NBA legend and co-owner of 23XI Racing recently confronted ESPN's Stephen A. Smith over his divisive comments about the sport.
Smith sparked a firestorm last week when he declared that NASCAR drivers aren't athletes, arguing that driving a car isn't a physical feat comparable to other sports. 'Getting behind the wheel of a car is not the same,' Smith said on his show. 'You can be behind the wheel of a car in your 60s and 70s. A golfer is not an athlete. A NASCAR driver is not an athlete.'
That didn't sit well with Jordan, who has invested heavily in NASCAR as a co-owner of 23XI Racing. According to Smith, Jordan reached out to him personally to correct the record. 'You know who wanted to correct me about the NASCAR thing? Michael Jordan,' Smith revealed on Friday. 'I argued with him! Because that's how I feel! I'm being honest.'
Jordan's defense of NASCAR comes as no surprise. The six-time NBA champion has been deeply involved in the sport since launching 23XI Racing with Denny Hamlin in 2020. When Tyler Reddick won the Daytona 500 earlier this year, Jordan was visibly emotional, comparing the victory to winning another NBA title. 'I can't even believe it. It was so gratifying,' Jordan said. 'You never know how these races are going to end. You just try to survive.'
Reddick currently leads the Cup Series standings with 484 points, while Bubba Wallace continues to represent 23XI Racing with strong performances. Jordan has every reason to be proud of his team's success, and Smith's comments likely struck a nerve.
Smith's remarks didn't just draw Jordan's ire. Three-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano fired back, accusing Smith of making controversial statements to stay relevant. 'People like that have to make comments to stay relevant,' Logano said. 'He got exactly what he wanted — he got you talking about it, the whole industry talking about it. Now he's relevant.'
Former NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick also weighed in, calling Smith 'clueless' about racing. 'This guy has no clue about racing,' Harvick said. 'If you don't know anything about a sport, just keep your opinion to yourself.' Harvick's comments echoed the frustration many in the NASCAR community felt over Smith's dismissal of their athleticism. You can read more about Harvick's reaction in our coverage of Kevin Harvick blasting Stephen A. Smith.
The debate over whether NASCAR drivers are athletes is nothing new, but Smith's comments have reignited the conversation. Jordan's involvement adds a new layer, given his legendary status in sports. For a driver like Bubba Wallace, who has faced his own battles for respect in the sport, Jordan's support is invaluable. And with Dystany Spurlock set to shatter NASCAR barriers as the first Black woman in a national series, the sport is evolving in ways that demand recognition.
Smith, for his part, isn't backing down. He insists his opinion isn't a crime, just a honest take on sports talk radio. But with Jordan now in his corner, NASCAR has a powerful ally pushing back against the narrative that its drivers aren't athletes.
