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The basketball icon, introducing himself formally in a Charlotte court on Friday, stated that his drive to win and novelty within the sport motivated his effort with 23XI Racing to confront Nascar over alleged violations of antitrust rules.

Team Investment and a Competitive Drive

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

“Someone had to step forward,” Jordan stated in the Charlotte courtroom. “I was a new person, I wasn’t afraid. I felt I could challenge Nascar in its entirety. From my perspective, the sport it needed to be looked at through a new lens.”

Central Issue: Franchise System and Contract Pressure

At issue is the expiration 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 due to end in 2024 when Nascar demanded teams renew their charters.

Jordan testified for about sixty minutes and exited the courthouse to a media frenzy, with fans and media clamoring for a glimpse or a picture of the global icon.

Spearheading the Fight

Jordan’s 23XI is at the forefront of the push along with Front Row Motorsports for Nascar to overhaul a operating model Jordan said is breaking the law to keep two hands on the wheel.

For Jordan and and Heather Gibbs, who preceded Jordan, are details from last September. Gibbs described a frantic and emotional six hours where the racing circuit informed teams they had to sign a contract extension. The document consists of 112 pages outlining pay for chartered teams and a guaranteed spot in Nascar-sponsored races.

Choosing Litigation

Jordan explained that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports decided their sole viable path was to decline to sign that extensive document and take the issue to court. All other teams agreed to the terms.

Jordan and co-owner Denny Hamlin approached 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 unsustainable system was driven by the familiar goal for Jordan: Winning.

“Denny convinced me adding a third car boosted our odds of winning,” he said, noting that he purchased another franchise late in 2024 for $28m despite the uncertainty. “So I dove in.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

Gibbs described her request for permanent charters, submitted in a formal letter to Nascar. She testified the timing of the signature deadline was problematic.

According to her, the team founder first tried to call and talk Nascar out of demanding signatures, but CEO Jim France declined the request.

“Don’t do this to us,” Heather Gibbs said Joe Gibbs told Nascar’s executives. The response was, “If I wake up and I have 20 charters, I have 20. If I have 30, I have 30.”