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The basketball icon, as he cordially introduced himself in a federal courtroom on Friday, admitted that his drive to win and status as a newcomer emboldened his push for 23XI Racing to “challenge” Nascar over perceived violations of antitrust rules.

Team Investment and a Will to Win

Jordan shared financial and corporate details of his racing venture, saying he put in $40m of his personal wealth into the Nascar Cup series team co-founded with business partner Curtis Polk and driver Hamlin.

“Someone had to step forward,” Jordan stated in the Charlotte courtroom. “As a newcomer, I wasn’t afraid. I believed I could take on Nascar in its entirety. I felt as far as the sport required examination through a new lens.”

Central Issue: Franchise System and Renewal Demands

The heart of the case involves the expiration of a 2016 deal where Nascar granted each team a “charter”. The concept is similar to other professional sports with separately owned franchises, like the NBA’s Hornets or the NFL’s Panthers. This deal was set to expire in 2024 when Nascar demanded teams renew their charters.

Jordan was on the witness stand for an hour and exited the courthouse to pandemonium, with onlookers and reporters clamoring for a view or a photo of the global icon.

Spearheading the Fight

23XI Racing is at the forefront of the push along with Front Row Motorsports for Nascar to overhaul a business model Jordan said is unlawful to keep two hands on the wheel.

For Jordan and and Heather Gibbs, who testified before Jordan, are details from September 2024. Gibbs described a frantic and emotional period where the racing circuit told teams they must sign a contract extension. The document consists of over a hundred pages outlining pay for chartered teams and a guaranteed entry in Nascar-sponsored races.

A Refusal to Sign

Jordan explained that his team and its ally decided their sole viable path was to decline to sign that extensive document and litigate the matter. The other 13 organizations agreed to the terms.

The team owners reached out to Nascar about possible changes or extension options. Nascar refused to engage, according to his testimony.

The Ultimate Motivation: Victory

Ultimately, the resistance against what he saw as a unsustainable system was driven by the usual bottom line for Jordan: Winning.

“Hamlin persuaded me adding a third car boosted our odds of winning,” he said, noting that he purchased another franchise late in 2024 for $28 million amid the legal dispute. “So I dove in.”

Account from the Gibbs Family

Heather Gibbs detailed her request for permanent charters, which she said a written letter to Nascar. She said the pressure of the contract signing demand was problematic.

She said, the team founder first tried to call and talk Nascar out of forcing signatures, but Nascar’s leader refused the appeal.

“Please don’t force this on us,” Gibbs recounted Joe Gibbs told Nascar’s executives. She said France replied, “If I wake up and I have 20 charters, I have 20. If there are 30, that’s the number.”