Michael Jordan and Front Row’s Bob Jenkins standing firm in their fight against NASCAR

Michael Jordan and Front Row’s Bob Jenkins standing firm in their fight against NASCAR
Bob Jenkins, owner of Front Row Motorsports and co-owner Michael Jordan, of 23XI Racing, pose before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway Sunday in Talladega, Ala. (AP)
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Updated 08 October 2024
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Michael Jordan and Front Row’s Bob Jenkins standing firm in their fight against NASCAR

Michael Jordan and Front Row’s Bob Jenkins standing firm in their fight against NASCAR
  • Jordan said before the race the lawsuit is on behalf of all Cup Series teams; 13 organizations signed the charter agreement, with 23XI and Front Row the only holdouts

TALLADEGA, Alabama: Michael Jordan arrived at Talladega Superspeedway about 30 minutes before the start of the playoff race and made his way directly to Bubba Wallace’s pit stand for a quick visit with his guys.

The NBA great eventually made his way down pit road to Tyler Reddick’s stand, where he sat on the wall and waited for Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins. Both NASCAR team owners have refused to sign NASCAR’s charter agreement and last week filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against the stock car series.

The brief exchange Sunday was planned as a show of solidarity by the only two teams that chose not to accept NASCAR’s terms for its new revenue-sharing model. 23XI Racing and Front Row want a jury to decide if NASCAR is, indeed, “monopolistic bullies” as the suit alleges.

Jordan said before the race the lawsuit is on behalf of all Cup Series teams; 13 organizations signed the charter agreement, with 23XI and Front Row the only holdouts. Many team owners have said they signed on deadline and under threat of having the entire charter system revoked.

“I think everybody should have an opportunity to be successful in any business and my voice is saying it hasn’t been happening,” Jordan told Fox Sports.

He said he had no intention of speaking with NASCAR chairman Jim France, who is named in the suit, while in Talladega over the weekend.

The legal battle has become the biggest talking point in NASCAR in the middle of its playoffs as the entire industry waits to see what happens next. NASCAR has declined to comment and France declined to discuss it at Talladega. NASCAR’s court response could come as early as this week ahead of Sunday’s playoff elimination race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Michael McDowell, who won the pole for Sunday’s race for Front Row, defended Jenkins’ decision to battle NASCAR. McDowell decided months ago he was leaving the team he’s driven for since 2018 at the end of the season, but is supportive of what Jenkins and 23XI are trying to accomplish.

“Bob Jenkins is so dedicated to this sport,” McDowell said. “He has spent millions and millions and millions and millions and millions of his own dollars to be in this sport and to be competitive. Nobody does that unless they’re insane or super passionate.

“He’s passionate about our race team and being competitive. It’s been a steady progression and I feel like we’re at a point now where we’re a contender,” McDowell continued. “There is nobody spending what we spend and performing how we perform. Nobody. And if he has to spend his own money, there is a problem.”

Denny Hamlin, who co-owns 23XI Racing with Jordan and Curtis Polk, also defended taking the fight to court.

“It’s been stated in statements by Michael Jordan that he loves NASCAR,” Hamlin said. “We’ve obviously invested heavily in NASCAR and reinvested what I got out of this sport as a driver back into it as an owner. Certainly, we love the sport, just would love to see change as well.”

Asked if he thinks NASCAR has any appreciation for what Hamlin — who as a Charlotte Hornets season ticket-holder developed a relationship with Jordan and then persuaded Jordan to start a NASCAR team with him — and 23XI have done for the sport, Hamlin took a long pause.

“Probably not,” he finally answered.

Jordan is the highest-profile team owner in NASCAR, and one of only two who are Black. 23XI also has one of the most diverse teams in the garage, from driver Wallace to crew members and non-competition employees.

The lawsuit has raised another concern around the garage: Team owner Richard Childress said he was not sure if the agreement he signed is the same terms that, say, Hendrick Motorsports received — and if 23XI and Front Row eventually reach an agreement with NASCAR will organizations that have already signed be guaranteed the same terms?

“I don’t know what’s going to happen because it’s just so unprecedented in our sport,” Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks said. “There’s no historical precedent. I think in other cases like this, in other sports, you have collective bargaining unions. So it’s just a very, very different setting. I think we have a blank slate and we can land anywhere. I think whatever comes out of this, I have to believe that it should affect everybody the same.”


Dubai Basketball claim dramatic late victory over SC Derby in ABA League

Dubai Basketball claim dramatic late victory over SC Derby in ABA League
Updated 04 November 2024
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Dubai Basketball claim dramatic late victory over SC Derby in ABA League

Dubai Basketball claim dramatic late victory over SC Derby in ABA League
  • 7 different Dubai players scored double digits in 87-86 win in Montenegro

DUBAI: Dubai Basketball extended their winning streak to four games with a nail-biting 87-86 win over SC Derby in the ABA League, improving their overall record to 6-1 for the season.

Isaiah Taylor’s free throw with 10 seconds remaining proved to be the difference on a thrilling night in Montenegro.

Dubai dominated for long periods, leading by six points with less than 90 seconds on clock, but were forced to continually dig deep against a side that posed a constant threat throughout the night.

Ahmet Duverioglu was top scorer for Dubai with 14 points, backing that up with a team-high eight rebounds and three steals. But the key to Dubai’s victory was their team-first mentality, finding the open man when it mattered most. Incredibly, seven different players on Dubai’s roster scored double digits — the first time that has happened this season.

Dubai Basketball’s head coach, Jurica Golemac, said he knew it would be a tough game from the outset but that his team ultimately deserved the win.

He said: “For sure, it was a difficult game, but that’s what we were preparing for. We had to win this three or four times. They play fast, great basketball and have great quality.

“We led for 35 minutes and the victory was deserved, but this is an indication that we still have to work and train a lot.”

Despite Dubai having a 9-point lead at halftime they were forced to contend with American Eric Neal, who was sensational for the home side. Neal dropped 34 points on the night, more than double his season average — shooting an outstanding 8-for-10 (80 percent) from three-point territory — to keep his team in contention. In previous rounds, Neal had struggled beyond the arc, shooting 6-31 (19.35 percent).

Dubai’s lead would stretch to as many as 12 points midway through the second quarter, but in the third the home side would rally again, cutting the difference to two points with ten minutes remaining.

A Nate Mason three, and a free throw from Duverioglu gave Dubai an eight-point lead in the fourth, before a late surge from SC Derby evened the game at 86-86 — thanks to another Eric Neal three with 33 seconds left on the clock.

Like a flashback from their Round 5 victory over Spartak, the ball — and the game — was placed in Isaiah Taylor’s hands with 10 seconds remaining, as he drove to the rim but was fouled on the play. Taylor would convert his second of two free throws to give Dubai the lead, but with time left SC Derby still had the opportunity to answer back.

With a few ticks of the clock remaining, solid defense by Davis Bertans and Awudu Abass forced SC Derby’s star, Eric Neal, to lose the ball, making a game-winning attempt impossible while closing out the win for Dubai.

Next, Dubai Basketball face ABA League giants Partizan Mozzart Bet, in Serbia on Nov. 10 in what some experts are calling a defining test.

After three games on the road, Dubai Basketball will have been away from their home fans for almost a month when they return to the Coca-Cola Arena to face Krka on Nov. 17.


UAE Pro League pauses for international break after breathless start to season

UAE Pro League pauses for international break after breathless start to season
Updated 04 November 2024
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UAE Pro League pauses for international break after breathless start to season

UAE Pro League pauses for international break after breathless start to season
  • Iran superstar Sardar Azmoun’s instant impact has seen Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club sit joint top of standings with a 100% record

DUBAI: A three-week pause in play provides welcome opportunity to take stock of what has been a breathtaking start to the 2024-2025 ADNOC Pro League.

Fueled by Iran superstar Sardar Azmoun’s instant impact, Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club sit joint top of the standings with an ominous 100 percent record from six outings.

A reinvigorated Sharjah under their rebounding “trophy machine” Cosmin Olaroiu are keeping pace on 18 points from seven fixtures.

Meanwhile, a talented chasing pack includes Hussein Ammouta taking his winning touch from Jordan to Al-Jazira, and neighbors Al-Wahda under their Celtic-inspired managerial duo of Ronny Deila and assistant Kenny Miller.

Stumbles from holders Al-Wasl and AFC Champions League kings Al-Ain add further intrigue.

Increasingly familiar difficulties for promoted clubs Dibba Al-Hisn and Al-Orooba provide some concern, plus mixed feelings about how the UAE’s World Cup 2026 qualifying mission is progressing.

Here are Arab News’ key talking points from the top flight’s early action.

 

An influx of talent and excitement

The majority of ADNOC Pro League clubs can reflect on a job well done in the transfer market. Most strikingly, Shabab Al-Ahli.

Iran’s Azmoun has gone from Bundesliga title joy at Bayer Leverkusen, to six goals in six starts under the enlightening tutelage of new head coach Paulo Sousa.

Global headlines were claimed by much-improved Jazira’s capture of France and Real Betis magician Nabil Fekir, plus Egypt and Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny. A rise to fourth under the wise Ammouta is testament to this work.

Deila has Wahda in third off the back of 2023-2024 Belgian Pro League glory with Club Brugge.

Kalba’s smart decision to bring astute Middle East-campaigner Vuk Rasovic back to the UAE has them sitting a solid sixth, and ex-Netherlands anchorman Leroy Fer has added ballast to fifth-placed Al-Nasr.

Ex-Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic and Romania’s Euro 2024 lead defender Andrei Burca are in situ at Baniyas, with Jamaica forward Junior Flemmings among the goals for Ajman.

An impressive introduction promises much for the challenges ahead.

 

 

Headache for the holders continues

It is one of Middle East football’s enduring conundrums.

Why can the ADNOC Pro League champions not hold onto their title? On current form, seventh-placed Al-Wasl — nine points off the pace, having played a game more than Shabab Al-Ahli — look likely to join this list.

You have to go back to 2011-2013 for the last time a UAE club, Al-Ain, retained their crown.

In the same period, Al-Nassr (2013-2015) and Al-Hilal (2016-2018; 2019-2022) have dominated the Roshn Saudi League. In the Qatar Stars League, Al-Sadd (2020-2022) and Lekhwiya, now Al-Duhail, have repeated such feats (2013-2015; 2016-2018).

Have the AFC Champions League Elite commitments drained resources? Has injury to Serbia’s Euro 2024 selection Srdan Mijailovic prevented a necessary shake-up of the XI?

Talent runs deep at Wasl, while boss Milos Milojevic’s four major trophies in two seasons with his current employers and Red Star Belgrade point to serious winning pedigree.

Maybe this is just a blip for the storied club who waited 17 years between ADNOC Pro League successes.

 

 

 

What is next for Crespo and Al-Ain?

May’s unexpected, but richly merited, Asian triumph now seems a long time ago for Al-Ain and Hernan Crespo.

The joy from a pulsating campaign has evaporated in 2024/2025 for “The Boss.” They have dropped points in three of their five league outings to sit a distant eighth with two games in hand, while just one point is on the board from three AFC Champions League Elite – League Stage fixtures.

Youth was paramount to their summer recruitment. Porto center-back Fabio Cardoso, 30, was the outlier.

Fiorentina loanee Gino Infantino and Paraguayan prospect Matias Segovia, both 21, are among those to show flashes of promise thus far.

It may be a waiting game to see such talents bloom, as Crespo closes on his one-year anniversary amid disappointment about how this term is unfolding.

 

 

Is the step-up too big?

Another season, another painful start in the ADNOC Pro League for promoted sides.

Last season’s joint-relegation of Hatta and Spain legend Andres Iniesta’s Emirates Club could be matched by Orooba and Dibba Al-Hisn.

Both inhabit the bottom two. They have conceded the most goals and scored the fewest, winning just one of their combined 14 matches.

Dibba Al-Hisn sit bottom this time, despite adding ample international experience through the likes of Tunisia stars Haythem Jouini and Oussama Haddadi, plus Cameroon midfielder Pierre Kunde. Iran forward Mohammad Reza Azadi was Orooba’s headline recruit.

The competition is not getting any kinder.

Even 2022-2023’s survival of Al-Bataeh was at the expense of fellow new boys Dibba Al-Fujairah. Orooba and Emirates were doomed in 2021/2022.

 

 

 

Can the UAE make their World Cup dream come true?

Domestic pursuits take a backseat to international aspirations for much of November.

Paulo Bento’s UAE kicked off World Cup 2026 qualifying’s third round with the welcome surprise of September’s 3-1 win at double Asian Cup holders Qatar. But a slog now appears apparent.

Only two points separate the third-placed Whites — a position good enough for the fourth round — and bottom-placed North Korea. This is in a Group A from which automatic tournament entry appears already sewn up by Iran and would-be-debutants Uzbekistan.

Brazil-born Jazira forward Bruno last month joined the trickle of naturalized options available to Bento. This could turn into a torrent throughout the next 18 months.

What is not, however, flowing freely are ADNOC Pro League goals for potential callups. Last month’s six dedicated attacking options tally only eight 2024/2025 strikes — seven come from Bruno (four) and Wasl veteran Caio Canedo (three).

An intriguing subplot is record UAE and ADNOC Pro League marksman Ali Mabkhout, 34, sitting on five efforts in seven outings since a reinvigorating summer move to Al-Nasr.

Is rapprochement tempting with an icon who played zero minutes at January’s Asian Cup?


Sporting superstars attend opening of WTA Finals

Sporting superstars attend opening of WTA Finals
Updated 04 November 2024
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Sporting superstars attend opening of WTA Finals

Sporting superstars attend opening of WTA Finals
  • Al-Hilal star Neymar performs official coin toss on first day of the tournament
  • Arab tennis icon Ons Jabeur meets with fans

RIYADH: The stars of world sport came together for the opening day of the Women’s Tennis Association Finals in Riyadh on Saturday, adding excitement to this groundbreaking event.

Brazilian footballer Neymar carried out the official coin toss — which determines who serves first — ahead of the Paolini vs. Rybakina match. Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur also attended the opening ceremony alongside Saudi Tennis Federation President Arij Mutabagani and WTA Finals Tournament Director Garbine Muguruza.

Afterwards, Jabeur engaged with fans in the tournament fan village and took part in a Q&A session on stage, signing autographs and sharing her journey.

The fan zone also welcomed stars from the Ladies European Tour, who competed in the Aramco Team Series earlier in the week at Riyadh Golf Club, including golfers Anne Van Dam, Olivia Cowan and Marianne Skarpnord.

Monday’s play sees Elena Rybakina take on Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng, followed by world number one Aryna Sabalenka facing Jasmine Paolini.

The season-ending finals, which take place until Nov. 9, mark the first WTA tournament to be held in Saudi Arabia. They feature the world’s top eight female singles players and doubles pairings who are competing for the top spot in the PIF WTA World Rankings for the 2024 season.


Sharma, Kohli under fire as India chews over ‘tough pill’ of NZ loss

Sharma, Kohli under fire as India chews over ‘tough pill’ of NZ loss
Updated 04 November 2024
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Sharma, Kohli under fire as India chews over ‘tough pill’ of NZ loss

Sharma, Kohli under fire as India chews over ‘tough pill’ of NZ loss
  • Critics call Indian cricket team aging and low on confidence after 3-0 loss to New Zealand
  • Sharma and Kohli both retired from T20 cricket after the team’s World Cup triumph in June

MUMBAI: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma came under fire Monday as India chewed over a 3-0 Test series home defeat to New Zealand, with critics calling the team aging and low on confidence.

The cricket superpower went down by 25 runs on Sunday in the third Test inside three days at Mumbai for only their second series whitewash at home.

It sealed New Zealand’s historic first-ever Test series triumph on Indian soil.

For India there is little time to fix things — they travel to Australia for a five-match Test series starting on November 22.

“Losing 3-0 at home is a tough pill to swallow and it calls for introspection,” former skipper Sachin Tendulkar wrote on social media.

“Was it lack of preparation, was it poor shot selection or was it lack of match practice?“

India went into the series against the Black Caps second in the ICC Test rankings, behind Australia, and as clear favorites.

But repeated batting collapses — they were 46 all out in their first innings in the opening Test — set alarm bells ringing.

It hardly got much better from there.

“I accept the fact that we were not good enough with the bat in the entire series,” said skipper Rohit.

It particularly showed up the Indian batsmen’s surprising inability to handle spinners on turning pitches in their own back yard.

Mitchell Santner took 13 wickets in the second match while Mumbai-born New Zealander Ajaz Patel took 11 in the third Test to condemn India.

With Australia looming large, the form of 37-year-old Rohit and superstar batsman Kohli, 35, is of particular concern to Indian cricket fans.

Rohit made 91 runs in three matches. Kohli just 93.

“The cold fact is that this is now a team in transition with key figures aging, out of form and low on confidence,” the Times of India newspaper wrote.

“Two of their stalwarts, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, seem to be in a state of terminal batting decline with a strange reluctance to acknowledge it and take corrective action like polishing their game by playing in domestic cricket,” it added.

Indian media reported that all senior players, including Rohit and Kohli, had been advised to play the domestic Duleep Trophy four-day matches, but the players refused due to a “lack of motivation.”

“They should have had some practice, definitely,” former India captain Sunil Gavaskar told the Indian Express.

“I know we beat Bangladesh and therefore it looked as if it was going to be a cakewalk against New Zealand,” Gavaskar added.

“But New Zealand, obviously, had a better attack, with cricketers who have played in India and in the IPL, who have a sense of what Indian pitches do.”

Rohit and Kohli retired from T20 cricket after the team’s World Cup triumph in June.

Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, 38, and Ravindra Jadeja, 35, also suddenly look like age is catching up with them, critics said.


Cummins to the rescue as Australia grind past Pakistan in opening ODI

Cummins to the rescue as Australia grind past Pakistan in opening ODI
Updated 04 November 2024
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Cummins to the rescue as Australia grind past Pakistan in opening ODI

Cummins to the rescue as Australia grind past Pakistan in opening ODI
  • Chasing 204, they reached target with 99 balls to spare at Melbourne Cricket Ground
  • Australians survived a huge scare when they lost three wickets in five balls at one point

Melbourne: Skipper Pat Cummins kept his cool under pressure with a gritty unbeaten 32 to steer Australia to a nervy two wicket defeat of Pakistan in the first of three one-day internationals on Monday.
Chasing 204, they reached the target with 99 balls to spare at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, surviving a huge scare when they lost three wickets in five balls.
“Wonderful match but it got a little tighter than I would have liked it there,” said Cummins.
With Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head on paternity leave, the world champions had a new-look opening partnership in Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short.
But Short lasted just four balls before top-edging to Saim Ayub off Shaheen Shah Afridi while Fraser-McGurk’s luck ran out on 16, slapping Naseem Shah to Irfan Khan at mid-on.
The experienced Steve Smith steadied the ship alongside Josh Inglis.
They put on 85 for the third wicket before Smith was undone by Haris Rauf on 44, well caught by Ayub at backward point.
Inglis followed for 49 soon after going for a big hit off Afridi, taken by Khan on his knees.
And when Rauf removed Marnus Labuschagne (16) three balls later, then Glenn Maxwell for a golden duck, Australia were suddenly 139-6 and it was game on.
Mohammad Hasnain bowled Aaron Hardie (10) and Sean Abbott (13) was guilty of a lazy run out, leaving the hosts needing 19 runs and two wickets left, with Cummins and Mitchell Starc (two) seeing them home.
“Really happy with how the guys bowled, everyone played their roles beautifully,” Cummins added.
“Obviously we need to try and find some partnerships (in the batting).”
Earlier, Starc took 3-33 Pakistan were dismissed for 203.
Newly appointed skipper Mohammad Rizwan top-scored with 44 but they struggled against some precision bowling, all out in the 47th over after Australia won the toss and sent them in.
“We need to play teams like that,” said Rizwan. “We decided whatever the situation we will fight and show courage.
“The luck was with Australia and that’s why they won.”
In Pakistan’s first 50-over game since last year’s World Cup, Starc broke through in the third over with Ayub chopping onto his stumps.
That brought Babar Azam to the crease, unburdened by the captaincy after quitting last month.
He upped the tempo before Starc struck again, with Abdullah Shafique caught behind for a tame 12.
Azam put on 39 with Rizwan before spinner Adam Zampa entered the fray and broke the partnership, bowling Azam for 37 with his fourth delivery.
His replacement Kamran Ghulam lasted just six balls, no match for a brutal Cummins bouncer, gloving to wicketkeeper Inglis to leave Pakistan struggling on 70-4 after 19 overs.
A patient Rizwan played himself in, but the wickets kept falling.
Salman Agha was smartly taken at square leg for 12 by Short off Abbott and Rizwan then departed attempting a sweep from part-time spinner Labuschagne.
Afridi hit an entertaining 24, but Starc again struck, rattling his middle stump, before a late flurry, with Shag adding a quick-fire 40.