NBA legend Michael Jordan becomes NASCAR team owner

ISTANBUL

NBA icon Michael Jordan and stock car racing driver Denny Hamlin will start a new NASCAR Cup Series team to compete for the 2021 season.

"NBA icon Michael Jordan is starting a NASCAR team with Denny Hamlin and his first driver is Bubba Wallace," NBA insider Shams Charania said on social media late Monday.

Jordan, 57, said that he's been a NASCAR fan his whole life and Bubba Wallace will be on board to drive for them.

"The opportunity to own my own racing team in partnership with my friend, Denny Hamlin, and to have Bubba Wallace driving for us, is very exciting for me. Historically, NASCAR has struggled with diversity and there have been few Black owners. The timing seemed perfect as NASCAR is evolving and embracing social change more and more," Jordan said on NBA.com.

"In addition to the recent commitment and donations I have made to combat systemic racism, I see this as a chance to educate a new audience and open more opportunities for Black people in racing", he added.

Jordan claimed six NBA titles in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998 during his career with the Chicago Bulls.

Dubbed as the 'Greatest of All Time', Jordan is a six-time NBA Finals MVP (Most Valuable Player) and 14-time NBA All-Star.

He is also the current owner of the NBA team, the Charlotte Hornets.

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company.