PYN MAG

The trial between Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing and NASCAR is over, with Jordan and Co. coming out as the big winner.

Jeffrey Kessler, the attorney representing Jordan's 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports in the teams' antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR,told Judge Kenneth Bellthat the parties had reached a settlement Thursday "in a way that will benefit the industry going forward."

That "way" is what the two sides are calling "evergreen charters" — which are essentially permanent team charters, the main sticking point between Jordan's side and NASCAR.

"From the beginning, this lawsuit was about progress," Jordan said in a statement after the settlement. "It was about making sure our sport evolves in a way that supports everyone: teams, drivers, partners, employees and fans. With a foundation to build equity and invest in the future and a stronger voice in the decisions ahead, we now have the chance to grow together and make the sport even better for generations to come."

Per the terms of the settlement, the financial agreements between the teams and NASCAR will not be publicly disclosed.

What Michael Jordan and Jim France said about the settlement.pic.twitter.com/vWzCg4Uzu1

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass)December 11, 2025

What was the trial about?

The future of NASCAR, really.

In 2016, NASCAR implemented charter agreements, NASCAR's version of franchising. The charter agreement were not in perpetuity, but they provided 36 teams guaranteed entry into every race of the season and a larger share of purse money than "open" (or non-charter) teams.

The old charter agreement expired at the end of the 2024 season in concurrence with NASCAR's previous media rights deal. In the fall of 2024, NASCAR presented teams with a new charter agreement that would run from 2025-2031. Given less than one day to agree to the new agreement — which NASCAR said was its final offer after months of contentious negotiations — most teams signed on. Two did not. 23XI, co-owned by Michael Jordan and driver Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports held out.

They, along with many other teams who signed the deal, wanted the charters to be permanent, but NASCAR and the France family, the sanctioning body's longtime owners, didn't acquiesce to that request.

NASCAR granted teams a larger portion of media rights money in the current charter agreement, however the sanctioning body and its tracks continue to receive the majority of revenue. Teams have said that costs have skyrocketed in recent years and especially since the implementation of NASCAR's "NextGen" car in 2022. Teams are forced to use NASCAR-approved, single-source suppliers to build their cars instead of building many of their own parts in-house.

23XI and Front Row accused NASCAR of monopolistic and anticompetitive behavior as NASCAR gave teams just hours to sign its final charter offer in September of 2024. Because they didn't sign the charter agreement, the two teams forfeited their charter status for the 2025 season. After a legal back-and-forth which saw them temporarily regain those charters, 23XI and Front Row raced as open teams for much of the 2025 season.

The two sides spent the last few months wrangling for a settlement but were unable to come to an agreement. On Dec. 1, the two sides — 23XI/Front Row and NASCAR — went to court, an all-or-nothing proposition for Jordan who likely would have shut his team down had he lost.

The trial

Jordan said on the stand that he felt he needed to challenge NASCAR and that attorneys advised him that the charter agreement could be in violation of antitrust laws. The charter agreement included a non-disparagement clause that teams needed to agree to.

Over eight days, some of NASCAR's biggest names — Jordan, Hamlin, team owner Richard Childress — along with executives — Jim France, NASCAR's principal owner; commissioner Steve Phelps; and president Steve O'Donnell — took the stand in Charlotte, North Carolina, where both sides made their case. In simplistic terms, the Jordan side argued they're losing money because NASCAR is keeping too much of it, NASCAR arguing the current agreement provides stability for a sport in an uncertain time.

Maybe the most impactful testimony came from Heather Gibbs, daughter-in-law of longtime team owner and former NFL coach Joe Gibbs and co-owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. Heather Gibbs explained that while they did sign the new charter agreement, it came "like you have a gun to your head."

"We said we have to sign this," Gibbs testified, per Fox Sports. "We can't lose this. We have too many employees. … I did not think it's a fair deal for the teams.

"... If you don't sign it … everything is gone."

Before the trial reached its ninth day, the two sides came to an agreement.

As part of the settlement, both 23XI and Front Row will receive their charters back.

"This outcome gives all parties the flexibility and confidence to continue delivering unforgettable racing moments for our fans, which has always benefited our highest priority since the sport was founded in 1948," Jim France said. "We worked closely with race teams to create the NASCAR charter system in 2016, and it has proven invaluable to their operations and to the quality of racing across the Cup Series. Today's agreement reaffirms our commitment to preserving and enhancing that value, ensuring our fans continue to enjoy the very best of stock car racing for generations to come."

23XI Racing is one of NASCAR's newest Cup Series teams. The team, co-owned by Jordan, his longtime business manager Curtis Polk and current Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin, began in 2021 with Bubba Wallace and has since expanded to a three-car team.

Front Row Motorsports is also a three-car team and has fielded cars in the Cup Series since 2005.

The teams had expanded from two to three cars ahead of the 2025 season as each reached an agreement to purchase a charter from the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing. Because of the lawsuit, those deals had officially been on hold, though they'll now be allowed to close.

"I've cared deeply about the sport of NASCAR my entire life," Hamlin said. "Racing is all I've ever known, and this sport shaped who I am. That's why we were willing to shoulder the challenges that came with taking this stand. We believed it was worth fighting for a stronger and more sustainable future for everyone in the industry. Teams, drivers and partners will now have the stability and opportunity they deserve. Our commitment to the fans and to the entire NASCAR community has never been stronger. I'm proud of what we accomplished, and now it is time to move forward together and build the stronger future this sport deserves."

Long before the World Cup draw was even made, local organizers in Seattle had earmarked a FIFA World Cup match in the city as a chance to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

But now, the two teams involved in the game – Iran and Egypt – have objected to any such celebrations taking place around the stadium.

It's fast becoming yet another flashpoint ahead of next year's already controversial World Cup and one which is likely to test FIFA's credentials again.

Here is everything we know so far.

What is the 'Pride Match'?

Seattle is one of the 16 host cities for next year's World Cup.

Earlier this year, local organizers had decided that the match at Lumen Field on June 26 was to be included in Pride celebrations, due to it falling at the start of Seattle's Pride Weekend.

The concept was to host activities, such as an art competition, whichcelebrate"creativity, inclusion, and the vibrant spirit of Seattle's LGBTQ+ community."

There are no particular plans for any Pride activities inside the stadium, which would fall under FIFA's control, but Seattle World Cup 26 (SeattleFWC26) says the plans are for outside the arena and throughout the city.

After the World Cup draw last Friday and the match schedule being revealed on Saturday, FIFA decided Egypt vs. Iran would play that game in Seattle.

Meanwhile, group rivals Belgium and New Zealand will play at the same time in Vancouver.

What have Egypt and Iran said?

Homosexuality is still illegal in Iran and punishable by the death penalty.

While homosexuality isn't outlawed in Egypt, members of the LGBTQ+ community can be prosecuted for violating public decency laws.

As such, the football federations representing both Egypt and Iran have publicly objected to any Pride celebrations around the match.

The Egyptian FA released a lengthystatementon its website earlier this week, confirming they had officially complained in a letter sent to FIFA.

It says the planned celebrations "directly contradict the cultural, religious and social values in the region, especially in Arab and Islamic societies."

It added: "While FIFA is committed to ensuring a respectful and welcoming environment for all fans, and in order to maintain the spirit of unity and peace, it is necessary to avoid including activities that could provoke cultural and religious sensitivities between fans present from both countries, Egypt and Iran, especially since such activities are culturally and religiously incompatible with the two countries."

Meanwhile, the president of Iran's Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, criticized the decision to hold the game in Seattle on that weekend.

"Both Egypt and we have objected, because this is an unreasonable and illogical move that essentially signals support for a particular group, and we must definitely address this point," Taj said, perAP.

Taj added that Iran would bring up the issue during a FIFA Council meeting next week.

How have organizers reacted?

In a statement sent to CNN on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Seattle's organizing committee said the planned activities will still be going ahead, adding that it was SeattleFWC26's role to "prepare our city to host the matches and manage the city experience outside of Seattle Stadium."

"Football has a unique power to unite people across borders, cultures, and beliefs," Hana Tadesse, vice president of communications for SeattleFWC26, said.

"The Pacific Northwest is home to one of the nation's largest Iranian-American communities, a thriving Egyptian diaspora, and rich communities representing all nations we're hosting in Seattle.

"We're committed to ensuring all residents and visitors experience the warmth, respect, and dignity that defines our region."

Meanwhile, local groups have said they are working with the organzing committee to ensure everyone stays safe during Seattle's Pride weekend

"It could be a good spotlight on how welcoming Seattle is to all people, but there are concerns within the community about safety during the World Cup," Seattle PrideFest, an organizer of the event, said in a statement onFacebook.

"Just know that LGBTQIA+ orgs (including PrideFest) are working together and with the local organizing committee to try to address those concerns in advance of the tournament."

What has FIFA said?

CNN Sports has reached out to FIFA for comment about the celebratory plans and scheduling concerns but has not yet received a response.

This, though, is another situation which will test the governing body's ability to handle such topics.

During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA made a point of urging visiting fans to respect the values of the host nation, with some supporters even having rainbow flags and hats taken off them by local securitybefore enteringthe stadium.

At that tournament, FIFA alsosaidit would "impose sporting sanctions" against captains who wore the "OneLove" armbands – part of a campaign to promote inclusion and oppose discrimination.

Qatar is also set to play in Seattle two days before Egypt and Iran's fixture, against one of Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Notably, Seattle was also one of the cities that US President Donald Trumpthreatenedto take World Cup hosting duties away from. Trump, though, has not weighed in on the issue as of yet.

CNN's Nadeen Ebrahim contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

The NFL was expecting a key battle in the NFC South, perhaps for first place, this Thursday night. The Atlanta Falcons didn't follow the plan.

The Falcons came into this season with hopes of knocking off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the division, but not much has gone right. The Falcons piled up wins, Michael Penix Jr. didn't take a step forward and then suffered a season-ending knee injury, and Kirk Cousins hasn't saved the Falcons' season. They're 4-9, hoping to play spoiler. The coaching staff, particularly head coach Raheem Morris, might need a strong finish to save their jobs. That's all that's left to play for after Atlanta was eliminated from playoff contention.

Even though the Buccaneers are 7-6 and tied for first place in the NFC South, they've had their issues too. A loss last week to the New Orleans Saints, who were just 2-10 coming into the game, is their fourth in five games. Tampa Bay could have run away with the division title, but instead they're tied with the Carolina Panthers with four games to go. The offense has gone into a slump even as it gets healthy. Baker Mayfield's passer rating over Tampa Bay's last four games is 65.2. Bucky Irving and Chris Godwin have returned but there haven't been any positive progress. Receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan are expected to return Thursday night, and perhaps they'll get the offense out of its funk.

It's not a great matchup for Thursday night, though it has some playoff implications for the Buccaneers and perhaps some future ramifications for the Falcons. It's the type of game that probably should have been flexed out of prime time, though the NFL had its best intentions when it scheduled it in May.

Who needs it more?

This isn't hard, though Raheem Morris might have his own opinion. The Buccaneers aren't yet in must-win mode, considering they have two games left against the Panthers. But a loss here would sting. The Panthers would have a better shot at taking the NFC South title with a split against the Buccaneers (the Bucs currentlyhave an edge in the tiebreakeragainst the Falcons, due to record in common games). If the Buccaneers beat the Falcons on Thursday and the Dolphins in Week 17, and split with the Panthers, they'll take the division. The Falcons are already eliminated, though playing for jobs in 2026 is ample motivation.

Key player: Buccaneers WR Mike Evans

Evans suffered a broken collarbone in Week 7, and there was no guarantee he'd be back this season. But Evans came back to practice last week and was activated to the active roster this week. Coach Todd Bowles indicatedEvans will play Thursday. The Buccaneers offense has been struggling for weeks, and it can't hurt to add back Evans, who had 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons before this year. Rookie Emeka Egbuka's production has fallen off since he had to take on No. 1 receiver duties, and perhaps he can get a bump with Evans taking up defensive attention. The Buccaneers' hope for taking the division and then winning some games in the postseason might rest on Evans returning and looking like his usual self.

Betting market watch

This game opened Bucs -5.5, but was bet down to -4.5at BetMGM. After a shocking loss to the Saints, Tampa Bay needs this game to keep pace in the suddenly tight NFC South race. The betting public is backing Baker Mayfield, and it will interesting to see if Mike Evans is able to return and provide a much-needed offensive spark.. —Ben Fawkes

Check out more of Ben's work atthe Yahoo Sports betting hub.

Fantasy football storylines

The Buccaneers are fighting for their playoff lives while the Falcons are playing out the string. Here are three fantasy angles to scout as you watch the game.

Can Baker Mayfield get it going again?Mayfield's been playing hurt and the results show it — he's been the QB27, QB18 and QB20 the last three weeks. Perhaps the return of Mike Evans will help perk up the Tampa Bay passing game.

Will someone help Bijan Robinson in the Atlanta offense?The Falcons enter Thursday on a messy 1-7 skid, and it hurts to be without Michael Penix Jr. and Drake London. Kyle Pitts hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 4, but he's nonetheless been the TE6 and TE7 the last two weeks.

Is Bucky Irving ready to pop?He's been useful in two games off injury, checking in as the RB11 and RB13, though he hasn't managed four yards a carry in either game. The Atlanta run defense is gettable, ranking a mere 19th in DVOA. —Scott Pianowski

Check out more of Scott's work at theYahoo Sports fantasy hub.

TOKYO (AP) — U.S. strategic bombers joined a fleet of Japanese fighter jets in a joint military exercise meant to demonstrate their military cooperation around Japan's airspace, defense officials said Thursday, as tensions with China escalate.

The exercise showcasing joint Japanese-U.S. air power came a day after Chinese and Russian bombers flew together around western Japan, prompting Tokyo to scramble fighter jets, though there was no airspace violation. It also followsChina's military aircraft locking radaron Japanese jets Saturday, another incident that has caused Tokyo-Beijing relations to further deteriorate.

Japan's Air Self Defense-Force and the U.S. military conducted the joint exercise Wednesday as "the security environment surrounding our country is becoming even severer," the Japanese Joint Staff said.

It said the allies "reaffirmed the strong resolve to prevent unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force and the readiness between the SDF and the U.S. forces."

Two U.S. B-52 strategic bombers and three Japanese F-35 stealth fighter jets and three F-15 jets conducted their joint flight drills near Japan's western airspace, above the waters between the country and South Korea, officials said.

Exercises held as the security environment grows more tense

The Joint Staff denied that the exercise was conducted in response to a specific incident, but acknowledged Chinese military aircraft's recent radar-locking on Japanese jets and the China-Russia joint bomber exercises Tuesday as examples of a worsening security environment around Japan.

Relations between Japan and China have deteriorated after Japan's Prime MinisterSanae Takaichisaid in early November that Japan's military could get involved if China were to take action against Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing claims as its own.

The row escalated over the weekend when separate Chinese drills involving a carrier near southern Japan prompted Tokyo to scramble jets and to protest that Japanese aircraft were targeted by repeated radar-locking — a move considered as possible preparation for firing.

Tokyo protested to Beijing, asking for an explanation and preventive measures. China denied the allegation and accused Japanese jets of interfering and endangering the Chinese exercise.

Washington stressed its "unwavering" alliance with Japan, saying the incident was not "conducive to regional peace and stability."

The exercise came one day after Chinese and Russian strategic bombers conducted joint long-distance flight from the waters between Japan and South Korea down to the Pacific, the Joint Staff said.

Two Russian strategic bombers Tu-95 that flew down from the airspace east of the Korean Peninsula joined a pair of Chinese H-6 bombers over the East China Sea for a joint flight down to the Pacific off the southern coast of Japan's Shikoku island.

The four bombers were also joined by four Chinese J-16 fighters as they flew back and forth between two Japanese southwestern islands Okinawa and Miyako, the area where China is expanding its military presence.

Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing conservative activistCharlie Kirk, is set to make his first in-person court appearance on Thursday.

Kirk was shot and killedin the middle of hisoutdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah,on Sept. 10. The 31-year-old was the founder of the conservative youth activist organization Turning Point USA, and the Utah Valley event marked the first stop of his "The American Comeback Tour," which invited students on college campuses to debate hot-button issues.

Plans estimated 600 people would come to the event where Charlie Kirk was shot. Over 3,000 showed up

Robinson, 22, allegedly fled the scene of the shooting, prompting a massive manhunt. Robinson surrendered to authorities on the night of Sept. 11.

Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child.

He made two previous court appearances, but the first was virtual and the second was audio-only.

He has not entered a plea. He could face the death penalty if convicted of aggravated murder.

A state of emergency has been declared, and tens of thousands of people have been ordered to leave their homes in western Washington afterhistoric rain left rivers at record levelsacross the state.

Skagit County has ordered everyone in theSkagit River 100-year floodplainto evacuate to higher ground, as authorities have forecast 18 major floods and 15 moderate floods.

Gov. Bob Ferguson said late Wednesday, "catastrophic flooding is likely," and, in astatement on social media,said 100,000 people could face evacuation orders. He urged people to heed the authorities' orders and listen to official advice.

The Skagit River is expected to crest at a record 47 feet in the mountain town of Concrete — the threshold for a major flooding event along the Skagit is 32 feet. Some rivers are expected to reach their highest levels early Thursday.

Almost 20,000 energy customers were without power early Thursday morning, about half of them in Chelan County, according to PowerOutage.us.

At least 300 National Guard Troops have been mobilized to the state, and local emergency response crews with boats were activated. Stranded people in vehicles were rescued overnight in Fall City.

"We feel very confident that we can handle a 'normal flood,' but no one really knows what a 41-, 42-foot river looks like south of Mount Vernon," Darrin Morrison, a commissioner for Dike District 3 in Skagit County, said during a public meeting Wednesday night.

There has been more than 10 inches of rain in parts of Washington and northwest Oregon in recent days, and conditions are expected to continue into early Thursday before finally weakening.

"While the rain will diminish tonight into early Friday, ongoing major river flooding and the threat of landslides will continue across portions of western Washington state and northwest Oregon for several days," the National Weather Service said in an update early Thursday.

Authorities have not confirmed the number of people ordered to evacuate, but estimates range from 75,000 to 100,000. Parts of Mount Vernon, a city of about 35,000 people north of Seattle, long plagued by flooding, are in the evacuation zone.

Areas also under evacuation orders are parts of the town of Sedro-Wooley, Orting, Ebey Island, land around the Puyallup River and Sumner.

A flood wall was installed in Mount Vernon in 2018 to protect low-lying downtown areas, and it protected the city during heavy rains and high river levels in 2021. But locals now fear the wall could be breached.

Ellen Gamson, executive director of the Mount Vernon Downtown Association,told The Associated Pressthat "it could potentially be catastrophic."

The Lummi Nation, which includes several Native American tribes in Western Washington based west of Bellingham, declared a state of emergency.

"Continued tidal influence, rainfall, or additional flooding may result in the Reservation becoming temporarily isolated until conditions improve," Vice-Chairman Terrence Adams wrote in a Wednesdaypress release.

The cause of the emergency is a persistent atmospheric river, which has dumped an extraordinary amount of rain on the Pacific Northwest this week, leaving rivers as much as 15 feet above their normal levels.

People across Sangit County were preparing on Wednesday by filling sandbags and shutting off utilities ahead of the expected deluge.

The American Red Cross has opened several volunteer-led shelters across the state, and their locations can be foundhereor by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (AP) — Two-timeOlympic champion Michelle Gisinwas undergoing surgery on her back Thursday having been airlifted from the course by helicopter after crashing hard in a practice run for a World Cup downhill.

Gisin is the third current Olympic champion in the Switzerland women's Alpine ski team to be injured crashing in training in the last month, afterLara Gut-BehramiandCorinne Suter, just weeks before the Milan Cortina Winter Games.

The 32-year-old Swiss hit the safety fences racing at more than 110 kph (69 mph) on a cloudy morning at St. Moritz in practice for downhills scheduled Friday and Saturday, then a super-G Sunday.

Gisin "can move her arms and legs normally," the Swiss ski team said in a statement, but also has injuries to her right wrist and left knee.

She is having surgery in Zurich, where she was taken by an air ambulance service, and is in a stable condition, her team said.

One of Gisin's skis seemed to catch an edge approaching a fast left-hand turn and she lost control going straight on, hitting through the first layer of safety nets until being stopped by the second.

Television pictures showed Gisin conscious lying by the course with scratches and cuts on her face as medics assessed her.

Gisin, who won gold in Alpine combined at the past two Winter Games, is currently the veteran leader of the Swiss women's speed team because of injuries to her fellow 2022 Beijing Olympics champions.

Gut-Behrami's Olympic season was endedtearing the ACL in her left knee while crashing in practice last month at Copper Mountain, Colorado.

Suter is off skisfor about a month with calf, knee and foot injures from a crash while training at St. Moritz last month.

At the last Winter Games in China, Suter won the downhill, Gut-Behrami won super-G — where Gisin took bronze — and Gisin took the final title in individual combined. The Swiss skiers have seven career Olympic medals.

Gisin crashed Thursday whenUnited States star Lindsey Vonnwas already on the course having started her practice run. Vonn was stopped while Gisin got medical help and resumed her run later.

Vonn was fastest in the opening practice Wednesday.

The Milan Cortina Olympics open Feb. 6 with women's Alpine skiing race at the storied Cortina d'Ampezzo hill.

AP Winter Olympics athttps://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics