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The basketball icon, introducing himself formally 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 Competitive Drive

The owner disclosed operational insights 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.

“Someone had to step forward,” Jordan stated during testimony. “As a newcomer, I wasn’t afraid. I felt I could challenge Nascar in its entirety. I felt as far as the sport it needed to be looked at through a new lens.”

Central Issue: Charter Agreements and Contract Pressure

At issue is the expiration of a 2016 agreement where Nascar provided each team a “charter”. The concept is similar to other major leagues with independent franchises, such as the Charlotte Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. This deal was due to end in 2024 when Nascar insisted on charter membership renewals.

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 photo of the sports legend.

Spearheading the Fight

23XI Racing is at the forefront of the push along with Front Row Motorsports for Nascar to overhaul a business model Jordan said is breaking the law to keep two hands on the wheel.

At issue for Jordan and Heather Gibbs, who preceded Jordan, are events from last September. She recounted a hectic and tense period where the sanctioning body told teams they had to sign a charter agreement extension. The document spanned over a hundred pages detailing team compensation and a guaranteed spot in every race.

A Refusal to Sign

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

The team owners reached out to Nascar about potential amendments or extension options. Nascar refused to engage, according to his testimony.

The Ultimate Motivation: Victory

Ultimately, the pushback against what he saw as a financially unsustainable model was mostly about the familiar goal for Jordan: Success.

“Denny convinced me adding a third car boosted our odds of winning,” he said, noting that he purchased another franchise late in 2024 for $28m amid the legal dispute. “So I dove in.”

Account from the Gibbs Family

Gibbs described her push for indefinite franchises, submitted in a formal letter to Nascar. She said the pressure of the contract signing demand didn’t sit well.

She said, Joe Gibbs first attempted to call and talk Nascar out of forcing signatures, but CEO Jim France refused the appeal.

“Please don’t force this on us,” Gibbs recounted was the message to Nascar’s executives. The response was, “Whether I have 20 charters, I have 20. If there are 30, I have 30.”