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The basketball icon, as he cordially introduced himself in a Charlotte court on Friday, admitted that his competitive side and novelty within the sport emboldened his effort with 23XI Racing to “challenge” Nascar over alleged violations of antitrust rules.

Financial Stakes and a Will to Win

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 driver Hamlin.

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

Central Issue: Charter Agreements and Contract Pressure

The heart of the case involves the expiration of a 2016 agreement where Nascar granted each team a franchise. This system mirrors other professional sports 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 testified for about sixty minutes and left the court to a media frenzy, with onlookers and reporters clamoring for a glimpse or a photo of the global icon.

Spearheading the Fight

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

At issue for Jordan and a fellow team representative, who testified before Jordan, are events from last September. She recounted a frantic and emotional period where the racing circuit informed teams they had to sign a charter agreement extension. This agreement consists of 112 pages detailing team compensation and a guaranteed spot in Nascar-sponsored races.

Choosing Litigation

Jordan said that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports concluded their sole viable path was to decline to sign that 112-page package and litigate the matter. The other 13 organizations agreed to the terms.

Jordan and co-owner Denny Hamlin reached out to Nascar about possible changes or extension options. Nascar wasn’t talking, according to his testimony.

The Ultimate Motivation: Winning

Ultimately, the pushback against what he saw as a financially unsustainable model was mostly about the usual bottom line for Jordan: Winning.

“Hamlin persuaded me adding a third car improved our chances to win,” he said, sharing that he bought a third charter late in 2024 for $28 million despite the uncertainty. “So I dove in.”

Account from the Gibbs Family

Gibbs described her request for permanent charters, which she said a formal letter to Nascar. She testified the timing of the signature deadline didn’t sit well.

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

“Please don’t force this on us,” Heather Gibbs said was the message to Nascar’s leadership. She said France replied, “If I wake up and I have 20 charters, that’s what I have. If there are 30, that’s the number.”