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

Financial Stakes and a Will to Win

The owner disclosed financial and corporate details of his racing venture, saying he invested $40m of his personal wealth into the Cup Series operation co-founded with business partner Curtis Polk and longtime driver Denny 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 required examination through a new lens.”

The Core Dispute: Franchise System and Renewal Demands

At issue is the end of a 2016 deal where Nascar provided each team a “charter”. This system mirrors other professional sports with independent franchises, like the NBA’s Hornets or the NFL’s Panthers. This deal was due to end in 2024 when Nascar insisted on teams renew their charters.

Jordan was on the witness stand for about sixty minutes and left the court to pandemonium, with onlookers and reporters vying for a glimpse 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 change a business model Jordan contended is breaking the law to keep two hands on the wheel.

For Jordan and and a fellow team representative, who testified before Jordan, are events from September 2024. She recounted a hectic and tense period where the racing circuit told teams they had to sign a charter agreement extension. This agreement spanned over a hundred pages detailing team compensation and a guaranteed spot in every race.

Choosing Litigation

Jordan explained that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports decided their sole viable path was to decline to sign that extensive document and litigate the matter. All other teams agreed to the terms.

The team owners approached Nascar about potential amendments or negotiations. Nascar refused to engage, according to his testimony.

The Bottom Line: Winning

Ultimately, the pushback against what he saw as a unsustainable system was mostly about the usual bottom line for Jordan: Success.

“Hamlin persuaded me getting a third driver boosted our odds of winning,” he testified, noting that he purchased another franchise late in 2024 for $28m despite the uncertainty. “So I dove in.”

Account from the Gibbs Family

Gibbs described her request for permanent charters, submitted in a formal letter to Nascar. She said the timing of the signature deadline was problematic.

According to her, Joe Gibbs first attempted to call and persuade Nascar against demanding signatures, but Nascar’s leader declined the request.

“Please don’t force this on us,” Heather Gibbs said Joe Gibbs told Nascar’s executives. The response was, “Whether I have 20 charters, I have 20. If there are 30, that’s the number.”