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The basketball icon, as he cordially introduced himself in a Charlotte court on Friday, stated that his drive to win and novelty within the sport emboldened his effort with 23XI Racing to “challenge” Nascar over alleged violations of antitrust rules.

Team Investment and a Will to Win

The owner disclosed operational insights of his racing venture, revealing he invested $40 million of his own funds into the Cup Series operation co-founded with business partner Curtis Polk and driver Hamlin.

“It fell to someone to act,” Jordan stated in the Charlotte courtroom. “I was a new person, I wasn’t afraid. I believed I could take on Nascar in its entirety. I felt as far as the sport required examination from a different view.”

Central Issue: Franchise System and Renewal Demands

At issue is the expiration of a 2016 agreement where Nascar provided each team a franchise. This system mirrors other professional sports with separately owned franchises, like the Charlotte Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. The agreement was due to end in 2024 when Nascar demanded charter membership renewals.

Jordan was on the witness stand for an hour and left the court to a media frenzy, with onlookers and reporters clamoring for a view or a photo of the global icon.

Leading the Legal Charge

23XI Racing is at the forefront of the push along with another racing team for Nascar to change a operating model Jordan said is unlawful to keep two hands on the wheel.

At issue for Jordan and a fellow team representative, who testified before Jordan, are events from last September. Gibbs described a hectic and tense six hours where the racing circuit told teams they must sign a charter agreement extension. This agreement spanned 112 pages detailing pay for chartered teams and a guaranteed spot in every race.

A Refusal to Sign

Jordan explained that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports decided their sole viable path was to refuse a signature that extensive document and take the issue to court. All other teams signed the agreement.

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

The Bottom Line: Victory

But in the end, the pushback against what he saw as a unsustainable system was mostly about the usual bottom line for Jordan: Winning.

“Denny convinced me getting a third driver improved our chances to win,” he testified, noting that he bought a third charter late in 2024 for $28m amid the legal dispute. “So I took the plunge.”

Account from the Gibbs Family

Heather Gibbs detailed her push for indefinite franchises, which she said a written letter to Nascar. She said the pressure of the contract signing demand didn’t sit well.

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

“Please don’t force this on us,” Heather Gibbs said Joe Gibbs told Nascar’s executives. She said France replied, “Whether I have 20 charters, I have 20. If there are 30, I have 30.”