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

Financial Stakes and a Will to Win

Jordan shared financial and corporate details of his 23XI team, saying he invested $40m of his personal wealth into the Cup Series operation launched with business partner Curtis Polk and longtime driver Denny Hamlin.

“It fell to someone to act,” 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 it needed to be looked at through a new lens.”

The Core Dispute: Franchise System and Renewal Demands

The heart of the case involves the end of a 2016 deal where Nascar provided each team a franchise. The concept is similar to other professional sports with independent franchises, such as the NBA’s Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. This deal was due to end in 2024 when Nascar demanded charter membership renewals.

Jordan testified for an hour and exited the courthouse to pandemonium, with onlookers and reporters clamoring for a glimpse or a photo of the global icon.

Leading the Legal Charge

23XI Racing is leading the full-court press along with another racing team for Nascar to overhaul a business model Jordan contended is unlawful to maintain excessive control.

For Jordan and and a fellow team representative, who preceded Jordan, are events from last September. Gibbs described a frantic and emotional period where the racing circuit told teams they must sign a charter agreement extension. This agreement spanned over a hundred pages detailing team compensation and a guaranteed spot in every race.

A Refusal to Sign

Jordan explained that his team and its ally decided their only feasible option 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 negotiations. Nascar wasn’t talking, according to his testimony.

The Ultimate Motivation: Victory

Ultimately, the pushback against what he saw as a unsustainable system was driven by the usual bottom line for Jordan: Winning.

“Denny convinced me adding a third car improved our chances to win,” he testified, sharing that he bought a third charter late in 2024 for $28m despite the uncertainty. “So I took the plunge.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

Gibbs described her push for indefinite franchises, submitted in a written letter to Nascar. She said the pressure of the signature deadline was problematic.

According to her, the team founder 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 Joe Gibbs told Nascar’s executives. The response was, “If I wake up and I have 20 charters, I have 20. If I have 30, that’s the number.”