NASCAR: There is ‘no truth at all’ to Michael Jordan rumor
By Asher Fair
Michael Jordan’s spokesperson shot down rumors that the six-time NBA champion would be buying into the Richard Petty Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team.
A rumor recently emerged that NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan would be buying into the Richard Petty Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team.
This rumor emerged after Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern shared that team co-owner Andrew Murstein revealed that they had been speaking with several prospective investors.
According to Stern, Murstein said that one is a celebrity.
Asked about industry rumblings that @RPMotorsports is talking to some prospective new investors, Andrew Murstein declined to disclose names but confirmed that "we are talking to a few people who reached out to us about investing in the team," and acknowledged one is a celebrity. pic.twitter.com/OU4cbrcPOZ
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) August 14, 2020
More from NASCAR Cup Series
- NASCAR Cup Series: New team set to compete in 2024
- NASCAR: Surprising name continuously linked to new seat
- NASCAR driver at risk of missing the Daytona 500?
- NASCAR set for rare appearance last seen 13 years ago
- NASCAR team adds third car, names driver for 2024 Daytona 500
Jordan was then identified as the possible celebrity.
Earlier this week, a report emerged that Jordan, Bubba Wallace, who is currently in a contract year competing for Richard Petty Motorsports behind the wheel of the #43 Chevrolet and already holds an ownership stake in the team, and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin, who has had a deal with Nike’s Michael Jordan Brand for several years, would be purchasing a much larger stake in the team.
It was also rumored that they would make the switch from from Chevrolet to Toyota and add a second car under this new ownership group, all while forming a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing to replace the one that they are set to lose once Leavine Family Racing shut down following the 2020 season.
This led to additional conflicting reports about the matter, as can be expected in Silly Season, with one saying that the rumor had “no truth at all” and another saying that the deal was “all locked in”.
But Estee Portnoy, Jordan’s longtime spokesperson, has completely denied the rumors.
Here is what Portnoy had to say about the matter, according to FOX Business.
"“There is no truth to that rumor at all. Michael Jordan is not considering an investment in NASCAR’s Richard Petty Motorsports.”"
Jordan, who owns the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, is a longtime NASCAR fan, but he publicly stated late last year that he had no interest in becoming a team owner, and that still appears to be the case.
Here is what he said back in November, according to NBC Sports.
"“I love being a fan. I still understand the sport, but in terms of ownership, I think I’m just gonna sit back and watch it and support from afar.”"
Top 10 NASCAR drivers of all-time. dark. Next
As for what happens next with Richard Petty Motorsports in terms of their investors, their future manufacturer and whether or not Wallace returns for a fourth season year, we should know more in the coming days or weeks. Wallace has also made public that he has been offered a contract to drive the #42 Chevrolet for Chip Ganassi Racing, making things even more interesting.