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The basketball icon, as he cordially introduced himself in a federal courtroom on Friday, stated that his drive to win and novelty within the sport emboldened his effort with 23XI Racing to confront Nascar over alleged violations of antitrust rules.

Team Investment and a Competitive Drive

The owner disclosed financial and corporate details of his 23XI team, saying he invested $40 million 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 said in the Charlotte courtroom. “As a newcomer, I wasn’t afraid. I believed I could take on Nascar in its entirety. From my perspective, the sport it needed to be looked at through a new lens.”

The Core Dispute: Charter Agreements and Contract Pressure

At issue is the end of a 2016 agreement where Nascar provided each team a franchise. The concept is similar to other major leagues with separately owned franchises, like the Charlotte Hornets or the NFL’s Panthers. This deal was set to expire in 2024 when Nascar insisted on teams renew their charters.

Jordan testified for an hour and left the court to pandemonium, with fans and media vying for a glimpse or a photo 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 operating model Jordan contended is unlawful to maintain excessive control.

For Jordan and and Heather Gibbs, who preceded Jordan, are details from September 2024. She recounted a frantic and emotional period where the sanctioning body told teams they must sign a charter agreement extension. This agreement consists of 112 pages outlining team compensation and a guaranteed spot in Nascar-sponsored races.

Choosing Litigation

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. The other 13 organizations signed the agreement.

The team owners approached Nascar about potential amendments or extension options. Nascar wasn’t talking, according to his testimony.

The Bottom Line: Winning

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

“Denny convinced me getting a third driver improved our chances to win,” he testified, noting that he purchased another franchise late in 2024 for $28 million amid the legal dispute. “So I dove in.”

Account from the Gibbs Family

Gibbs described her request for permanent charters, submitted in a written letter to Nascar. She said the pressure of the signature deadline didn’t sit well.

She said, Joe Gibbs first tried to call and persuade Nascar against forcing signatures, but Nascar’s leader declined the request.

“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, that’s what I have. If there are 30, that’s the number.”