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The basketball icon, as he cordially introduced himself in a Charlotte court on Friday, admitted that his competitive side and novelty within the sport motivated his effort with 23XI Racing to “challenge” Nascar over perceived violations of antitrust rules.

Financial Stakes and a Competitive Drive

The owner disclosed operational insights of his 23XI team, revealing he invested $40m of his personal wealth into the Cup Series operation launched with partner Polk and driver Hamlin.

“It fell to someone to act,” Jordan said in the Charlotte courtroom. “As a newcomer, I wasn’t afraid. I felt I could challenge Nascar as a whole. I felt as far as the sport it needed to be looked at through a new lens.”

Central Issue: Franchise System and Renewal Demands

The heart of the case involves the end of a 2016 agreement where Nascar granted each team a “charter”. The concept is similar to other professional sports with independent franchises, like the NBA’s Hornets or the NFL’s Panthers. This deal was set to expire in 2024 when Nascar demanded charter membership renewals.

Jordan testified for about sixty minutes and exited the courthouse to pandemonium, with onlookers and reporters vying for a glimpse or a photo of the sports legend.

Leading the Legal Charge

23XI Racing is leading the full-court press along with Front Row Motorsports for Nascar to change a operating model Jordan said is breaking the law to maintain excessive control.

At issue for Jordan and Heather Gibbs, who preceded Jordan, are events from September 2024. Gibbs described a hectic and tense six hours where the sanctioning body told teams they must sign a charter agreement extension. The document consists of 112 pages outlining team compensation and a guaranteed spot in Nascar-sponsored races.

A Refusal to Sign

Jordan said that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports decided their only feasible option was to refuse a signature that 112-page package and take the issue to court. All other teams agreed to the terms.

Jordan and co-owner Denny Hamlin reached out to Nascar about possible changes or negotiations. Nascar wasn’t talking, according to his testimony.

The Bottom Line: Victory

But in the end, the pushback against what he saw as a financially unsustainable model was mostly about the familiar goal for Jordan: Winning.

“Hamlin persuaded me adding a third car boosted our odds of winning,” he testified, noting that he purchased another franchise last year for $28m amid the legal dispute. “So I took the plunge.”

Account from the Gibbs Family

Heather Gibbs detailed her request for permanent charters, submitted in a formal letter to Nascar. She testified the timing of the contract signing demand was problematic.

She said, Joe Gibbs first tried to call and talk Nascar out of demanding signatures, but CEO Jim France refused the appeal.

“Please don’t force this on us,” Gibbs recounted Joe Gibbs told Nascar’s leadership. The response was, “Whether I have 20 charters, I have 20. If I have 30, I have 30.”