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The basketball icon, as he cordially introduced himself in a Charlotte court on Friday, stated that his competitive side and novelty within the sport emboldened his effort with 23XI Racing to confront Nascar over perceived violations of competition laws.

Team Investment and a Will to Win

Jordan shared operational insights of his 23XI team, saying he put in $40 million of his own funds into the Nascar Cup series team launched with business partner Curtis Polk and longtime driver Denny Hamlin.

“It fell to someone to act,” Jordan stated during testimony. “I was a new person, I had no fear. I felt I could challenge Nascar in its entirety. 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 deal where Nascar granted each team a franchise. The concept is similar to other professional sports with separately owned franchises, such as the NBA’s Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. This deal was set to expire in 2024 when Nascar insisted on teams renew their charters.

Jordan was on the witness stand for about sixty minutes and exited the courthouse to pandemonium, with onlookers and reporters clamoring for a glimpse or a picture of the sports legend.

Spearheading the Fight

23XI Racing is at the forefront of the push along with another racing team for Nascar to overhaul a business 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 racing circuit informed teams they had to sign a charter agreement extension. This agreement spanned over a hundred pages outlining pay for chartered teams and a guaranteed spot in every race.

Choosing Litigation

Jordan said 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. The other 13 organizations signed the agreement.

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

The Bottom Line: Victory

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

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

Heather Gibbs detailed her request for permanent charters, which she said a written letter to Nascar. She said the pressure of the signature deadline was problematic.

She said, the team founder first attempted to call and persuade Nascar against forcing signatures, but Nascar’s leader refused the appeal.

“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, I have 20. If there are 30, I have 30.”