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The basketball icon, introducing himself formally in a federal courtroom on Friday, stated that his drive to win and novelty within the sport emboldened his push for 23XI Racing to confront Nascar over alleged violations of antitrust rules.

Team Investment and a Will to Win

The owner disclosed financial and corporate details of his racing venture, saying he put in $40 million of his own funds into the Nascar Cup series team launched with business partner Curtis Polk and driver Hamlin.

“Someone had to step forward,” Jordan stated in the Charlotte courtroom. “As a newcomer, I had no fear. I believed I could take on Nascar as a whole. I felt as far as the sport it needed to be looked at from a different view.”

The Core Dispute: Franchise System and Contract Pressure

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 major leagues with separately owned franchises, such as the NBA’s Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. The agreement was set to expire in 2024 when Nascar insisted on charter membership renewals.

Jordan testified for an hour and exited the courthouse to pandemonium, with onlookers and reporters vying for a view or a picture of the sports legend.

Leading the Legal Charge

23XI Racing is at the forefront of the push along with another racing team for Nascar to overhaul a business model Jordan contended is breaking the law to keep two hands on the wheel.

At issue for Jordan and a fellow team representative, who preceded Jordan, are details from September 2024. She recounted a hectic and tense period where the racing circuit told teams they must sign a charter agreement extension. The document consists of 112 pages outlining pay for chartered teams and a guaranteed entry in Nascar-sponsored races.

A Refusal to Sign

Jordan explained that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports decided their only feasible option was to decline to sign that extensive document and take the issue to court. 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 Bottom Line: Winning

Ultimately, the resistance against what he saw as a financially unsustainable model was mostly about the familiar goal for Jordan: Winning.

“Hamlin persuaded me getting a third driver boosted our odds of winning,” he testified, noting that he bought a third charter last year for $28m despite the uncertainty. “So I dove in.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

Heather Gibbs detailed her push for indefinite franchises, submitted in a written letter to Nascar. She testified the pressure of the signature deadline was problematic.

She said, Joe Gibbs first tried to call and persuade Nascar against forcing signatures, but CEO Jim France refused the appeal.

“Don’t do this to us,” Heather Gibbs said was the message to Nascar’s leadership. She said France replied, “Whether I have 20 charters, that’s what I have. If I have 30, that’s the number.”