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The basketball icon, as he cordially introduced himself in a Charlotte court on Friday, admitted that his competitive side and status as a newcomer emboldened his effort with 23XI Racing to confront Nascar over perceived violations of antitrust rules.

Financial Stakes and a Competitive Drive

The owner disclosed operational insights of his racing venture, revealing he invested $40m of his own funds into the Nascar Cup series team co-founded with partner Polk and driver Hamlin.

“Someone had to step forward,” Jordan said during testimony. “I was a new person, I had no fear. I believed I could take on Nascar as a whole. I felt as far as the sport required examination through a new lens.”

Central Issue: Franchise System and Contract Pressure

At issue is the end of a 2016 agreement where Nascar granted each team a “charter”. This system mirrors other major leagues with independent franchises, such as the Charlotte Hornets or the NFL’s Panthers. The agreement was due to end in 2024 when Nascar demanded teams renew their charters.

Jordan was on the witness stand for an hour and exited the courthouse to a media frenzy, 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 change a business model Jordan said is breaking the law to keep two hands on the wheel.

For Jordan and and Heather Gibbs, who preceded Jordan, are details from September 2024. She recounted a hectic and tense period where the sanctioning body informed teams they had to sign a charter agreement extension. This agreement spanned over a hundred pages outlining pay for chartered teams and a guaranteed spot in every race.

A Refusal to Sign

Jordan said that his team and its ally decided their sole viable path was to refuse a signature that extensive document and litigate the matter. The other 13 organizations signed the agreement.

Jordan and co-owner Denny Hamlin reached out to Nascar about potential amendments or extension options. Nascar refused to engage, according to his testimony.

The Bottom Line: Victory

But in the end, the resistance against what he saw as a financially unsustainable model was driven by the usual bottom line for Jordan: Success.

“Denny convinced me adding a third car boosted our odds of winning,” he testified, sharing that he purchased another franchise late in 2024 for $28 million amid the legal dispute. “So I took the plunge.”

Account from the Gibbs Family

Gibbs described her push for indefinite franchises, submitted in a formal letter to Nascar. She testified the timing of the signature deadline was problematic.

According to her, Joe Gibbs first tried to call and persuade Nascar against demanding signatures, but CEO Jim France declined the request.

“Don’t do this to us,” Gibbs recounted was the message to Nascar’s executives. She said France replied, “If I wake up and I have 20 charters, that’s what I have. If there are 30, I have 30.”