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The basketball icon, introducing himself formally in a Charlotte court on Friday, stated that his drive to win and status as a newcomer emboldened his push for 23XI Racing to “challenge” Nascar over perceived violations of antitrust rules.

Team Investment and a Will to Win

Jordan shared financial and corporate details of his 23XI team, saying he put in $40 million of his personal wealth into the Cup Series operation co-founded with partner Polk and driver Hamlin.

“It fell to someone to act,” Jordan stated in the Charlotte courtroom. “I was a new person, I had no fear. I believed I could take on Nascar as a whole. I felt as far as the sport required examination from a different view.”

Central Issue: 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 professional sports with separately owned franchises, such as the Charlotte Hornets or the NFL’s Panthers. This deal was due to end in 2024 when Nascar insisted on charter membership renewals.

Jordan was on the witness stand for an hour and left the court to pandemonium, with fans and media vying for a glimpse or a photo of the global icon.

Spearheading the Fight

Jordan’s 23XI is leading the full-court press along with another racing team for Nascar to overhaul a business model Jordan contended is breaking the law to keep two hands on the wheel.

At issue for Jordan and Heather Gibbs, who preceded Jordan, are events from September 2024. Gibbs described a hectic and tense six hours where the racing circuit informed teams they must sign a contract extension. The document consists of 112 pages detailing pay for chartered teams and a guaranteed spot in every race.

A Refusal to Sign

Jordan said that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports decided their sole viable path 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 approached Nascar about potential amendments or negotiations. Nascar refused to engage, Jordan said.

The Ultimate Motivation: Victory

But in the end, the resistance 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 said, noting that he purchased another franchise late in 2024 for $28 million despite the uncertainty. “So I took the plunge.”

Account from the Gibbs Family

Gibbs described her push for indefinite franchises, which she said a written letter to Nascar. She testified the pressure of the contract signing demand was problematic.

She said, the team founder first attempted to call and persuade Nascar against demanding signatures, but CEO Jim France declined the request.

“Don’t do this to 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.”