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The basketball icon, as he cordially introduced himself in a federal courtroom on Friday, admitted that his competitive side and novelty within the sport motivated his effort with 23XI Racing to confront Nascar over perceived violations of antitrust rules.

Team Investment and a Will to Win

The owner disclosed financial and corporate details of his racing venture, revealing he put in $40 million of his own funds into the Cup Series operation launched with business partner Curtis Polk and longtime driver Denny Hamlin.

“Someone had to step forward,” Jordan said during testimony. “I was a new person, I wasn’t afraid. I believed I could take on Nascar as a whole. From my perspective, the sport required examination through a new lens.”

The Core Dispute: Franchise System and Contract Pressure

At issue is the expiration of a 2016 deal where Nascar granted each team a franchise. This system mirrors other professional sports with separately owned franchises, such as the NBA’s Hornets or the NFL’s Panthers. This deal was set to expire in 2024 when Nascar insisted on teams renew their charters.

Jordan testified for an hour and left the court to pandemonium, with fans and media vying for a glimpse or a photo of the sports legend.

Leading the Legal Charge

Jordan’s 23XI is at the forefront of the push along with another racing team for Nascar to change a operating model Jordan contended is unlawful to keep two hands on the wheel.

At issue for Jordan and a fellow team representative, who testified before 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. The document spanned over a hundred pages outlining team compensation and a guaranteed spot in Nascar-sponsored races.

Choosing Litigation

Jordan explained that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports concluded their only feasible option was to decline to sign that 112-page package and litigate the matter. All other teams agreed to the terms.

The team owners reached out to Nascar about potential amendments or negotiations. Nascar refused to engage, according to his testimony.

The Ultimate Motivation: Winning

Ultimately, the pushback against what he saw as a financially unsustainable model was driven by the familiar goal for Jordan: Success.

“Denny convinced me getting a third driver improved our chances to win,” he testified, sharing that he bought a third charter late in 2024 for $28 million amid the legal dispute. “So I took the plunge.”

Account from the Gibbs Family

Gibbs described her push for indefinite franchises, which she said a formal letter to Nascar. She testified the pressure of the signature deadline was problematic.

She said, the team founder first tried to call and persuade Nascar against forcing signatures, but Nascar’s leader declined the request.

“Don’t do this to us,” Heather Gibbs said was the message to Nascar’s executives. The response was, “Whether I have 20 charters, that’s what I have. If I have 30, I have 30.”