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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 motivated his effort with 23XI Racing to confront Nascar over alleged violations of competition laws.

Team Investment and a Will to Win

Jordan shared operational insights of his 23XI team, revealing he put in $40m of his own funds into the Cup Series operation co-founded with partner Polk and driver Hamlin.

“It fell to someone to act,” Jordan said in the Charlotte courtroom. “As a newcomer, I wasn’t afraid. I believed I could take on Nascar as a whole. I felt as far as the sport required examination from a different view.”

The Core Dispute: Charter Agreements and Renewal Demands

At issue is the end of a 2016 deal where Nascar granted each team a “charter”. The concept is similar to other professional sports with independent franchises, like the Charlotte Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. This deal was set to expire in 2024 when Nascar insisted on charter membership renewals.

Jordan testified for about sixty minutes 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 change a business model Jordan said is unlawful to maintain excessive control.

At issue for Jordan and a fellow team representative, who preceded Jordan, are events from September 2024. Gibbs described a frantic and emotional period where the sanctioning body told teams they had to sign a charter agreement extension. The document consists of 112 pages outlining team compensation and a guaranteed spot in every race.

A Refusal to Sign

Jordan said that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports concluded their sole viable path was to refuse a signature that extensive document and take the issue to court. All other teams agreed to the terms.

Jordan and co-owner Denny Hamlin reached out to Nascar about potential amendments or negotiations. Nascar refused to engage, Jordan said.

The Bottom Line: Winning

Ultimately, 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 testified, sharing that he purchased another franchise last year for $28m despite the uncertainty. “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 pressure of the signature deadline was problematic.

She said, the team founder first tried to call and talk Nascar out of forcing signatures, but Nascar’s leader refused the appeal.

“Don’t do this to us,” Gibbs recounted Joe Gibbs told Nascar’s leadership. She said France replied, “Whether I have 20 charters, that’s what I have. If there are 30, I have 30.”