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The basketball icon, introducing himself formally in a federal courtroom on Friday, stated that his competitive side and novelty within the sport emboldened his effort with 23XI Racing to “challenge” Nascar over perceived violations of antitrust rules.

Financial Stakes and a Competitive Drive

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

“Someone had to step forward,” Jordan said during testimony. “I was a new person, I wasn’t afraid. I felt I could challenge Nascar in its entirety. From my perspective, the sport required examination through a new lens.”

Central Issue: Charter Agreements and Renewal Demands

The heart of the case involves the expiration of a 2016 deal where Nascar granted each team a franchise. This system mirrors other major leagues with separately owned franchises, like the Charlotte 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 left the court to a media frenzy, with fans and media clamoring for a view or a picture of the global icon.

Leading the Legal Charge

23XI Racing is at the forefront of the push along with Front Row Motorsports for Nascar to change a business model Jordan contended is unlawful to maintain excessive control.

For Jordan and and Heather Gibbs, who testified before Jordan, are details from September 2024. She recounted a hectic and tense six hours where the sanctioning body informed teams they had to sign a contract extension. This agreement spanned over a hundred pages detailing pay for chartered teams and a guaranteed spot in Nascar-sponsored races.

A Refusal to Sign

Jordan explained that his team and its ally concluded their only feasible option 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 possible changes or extension options. Nascar refused to engage, Jordan said.

The Bottom Line: Winning

But in the end, the resistance against what he saw as a financially unsustainable model was mostly about the familiar goal for Jordan: Success.

“Denny convinced me getting a third driver improved our chances to win,” he said, sharing that he bought a third charter late in 2024 for $28 million amid the legal dispute. “So I dove in.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

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

According to her, Joe Gibbs first tried to call and talk Nascar out of forcing signatures, but Nascar’s leader refused the appeal.

“Don’t do this to us,” Heather Gibbs said Joe Gibbs told Nascar’s executives. She said France replied, “If I wake up and I have 20 charters, I have 20. If there are 30, I have 30.”