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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 emboldened his push for 23XI Racing to “challenge” Nascar over perceived violations of competition laws.

Team Investment and a Will to Win

Jordan shared financial and corporate details of his 23XI team, revealing he invested $40m of his own funds into the Nascar Cup series team launched with partner Polk and longtime driver Denny Hamlin.

“Someone had to step forward,” Jordan said in the Charlotte courtroom. “I was a new person, I had no fear. I felt I could challenge Nascar in its entirety. From my perspective, the sport required examination from a different view.”

Central Issue: Franchise System and Renewal Demands

At issue is 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 due to end in 2024 when Nascar demanded teams renew their charters.

Jordan was on the witness stand for about sixty minutes and exited the courthouse to a media frenzy, with onlookers and reporters clamoring for a glimpse or a photo of the global icon.

Spearheading the Fight

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

For Jordan and and Heather Gibbs, who testified before Jordan, are details from September 2024. Gibbs described a hectic and tense period where the racing circuit told teams they must sign a contract extension. This agreement spanned 112 pages detailing pay for chartered teams and a guaranteed spot in Nascar-sponsored races.

Choosing Litigation

Jordan said that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports concluded their only feasible option was to refuse a signature that 112-page package and take the issue to court. The other 13 organizations agreed to the terms.

Jordan and co-owner Denny Hamlin approached Nascar about possible changes or extension options. Nascar refused to engage, Jordan said.

The Ultimate Motivation: Winning

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

“Denny convinced 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 written letter to Nascar. She testified the timing of the contract signing demand didn’t sit well.

According to her, Joe Gibbs first tried to call and persuade Nascar against demanding signatures, but Nascar’s leader refused the appeal.

“Please don’t force this on us,” Heather Gibbs said was the message to Nascar’s executives. She said France replied, “Whether I have 20 charters, I have 20. If I have 30, I have 30.”