23XI Racing deleted their 'banned' paint scheme and revised it
Yesterday at 06:41 AM
23XI Racing released the ‘unabannable’ paint scheme; Then, they deleted it and posted a revised version of the promotion
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season is set to get underway on February 2, 2025. The season opens with an exhibition race at Bowman Gray Stadium.
Ahead of the race, 23XI Racing has released the paint scheme for Tyler Reddick. He’ll run the race in a Jordan Brand scheme. But, this one is slightly different.
23XI Racing posted the following graphic in their initial release of the paint scheme.
23XI Racing is co-owned by Michael Jordan.
The team is currently in a battle with NASCAR in the courts. They are have sued noting antitrust claims as they seek better charter terms for teams.
NASCAR lawsuit opened by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports
In the off-season, NASCAR was attempting to claim the teams charters for the 2025 season and prevent them from acquiring a third charter as well. However, 23XI filed an injunction, asking the courts to allow them to run as a charter team while the lawsuit is ongoing.
The court recently ruled in favor of the team. They will race as a charter team in 2025 as the lawsuit continues to play out.
NASCAR teams comment as motion to dismiss lawsuit is denied
With the new paint scheme reveal, fans took to social media, some mistakenly thought the paint scheme was a reference to the NASCAR lawsuit. The graphic featured red tape going across which also featured “unbannable” text.
23XI Racing swiftly deleted the graphic. The next day, a new graphic was posted…
The revision of the paint scheme reveal
‘Unbannable’ has been completely removed from the paint scheme promotion.
The “unbannable” red tape has been removed from the graphic. Additionally, the rear of the car which has the same word, isn’t shown in the new graphic either.
23XI posted the image above with the caption, “Just like this graphic, the 45 is back again.”
Brad Keselowski says the NASCAR lawsuit is a threat to the sport
The unbannable shoe
The car features the Air Jordan logo with a large black block censoring the majority of the logo. This all has a bit of history to it dating back to 1984.
When Jordan played in the NBA, they had a rule that shoe designs had to be 51% white. Nike designed a shoe for Jordan, ignoring the rule on purpose and created a brilliant marketing campaign around it.
Every game, Jordan was fined $5,000 by the NBA for wearing shoes that didn’t fit the rules. Nike paid the fine for him and captured the public’s attention in the process.
The NBA attempted to ban the Air Jordan 1s in 1985. Nike also took that and ran with it…
A Nike advertisement read, “On October 15, Nike created a revolutionary new basketball shoe. On October 18, the NBA threw them out of the game. Fortunately, the NBA can’t keep you from wearing them. Air Jordans. From Nike.”
In the first six weeks, Nike sold 1.5 million pairs of the shoe.
Relaunch of the shoe
Fast forward to 2025, Nike has recreated the shoe and they’re set to launch it again. Hence the new paint scheme.
The Nike website reads, "In 1985, the Air Jordan I left a permanent impression on the league. Over three decades later, the icon now returns alongside the modern Anti-Gravity Machines known as the Air Jordan XXXI. Upon its return, the icon stays true to its roots, constructed with premium leather in timeless black and red tones.”
"Since his game-winning shot that brought championship glory to North Carolina, Michael Jordan has been at the forefront of basketball consciousness. He took the court in 1985 wearing the original Air Jordan I, simultaneously breaking league rules and his opponents’ will while capturing the imagination of fans worldwide."
See the shoe here.
NASCAR team owned by Michael Jordan might not race in 2025
Links
Tyler Reddick | NASCAR | 23XI Racing
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