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The basketball icon, introducing himself formally in a federal courtroom on Friday, admitted that his drive to win and status as a newcomer motivated his effort with 23XI Racing to “challenge” Nascar over alleged violations of competition laws.

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 Nascar Cup series team 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. I felt as far as the sport required examination from a different view.”

The Core Dispute: Charter Agreements and Contract Pressure

At issue is the expiration of a 2016 agreement where Nascar provided each team a franchise. This system mirrors other major leagues with separately owned franchises, like the NBA’s Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. The agreement was set to expire in 2024 when Nascar insisted on charter membership renewals.

Jordan was on the witness stand for an hour and exited the courthouse to pandemonium, with onlookers and reporters clamoring for a glimpse or a photo of the sports legend.

Spearheading the Fight

23XI Racing is leading the full-court press 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 events from September 2024. She recounted a hectic and tense six hours where the sanctioning body informed teams they must sign a contract extension. The document spanned over a hundred pages outlining pay for chartered teams and a guaranteed spot in every race.

Choosing Litigation

Jordan explained that his team and its ally decided their only feasible option was to refuse a signature that 112-page package and litigate the matter. 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, according to his testimony.

The Ultimate Motivation: Winning

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

“Denny convinced me adding a third car improved our chances to win,” he testified, noting that he purchased another franchise last year for $28m despite the uncertainty. “So I dove in.”

Account from the Gibbs Family

Heather Gibbs detailed her request for permanent charters, submitted in a written letter to Nascar. She testified the timing of the contract signing demand was problematic.

She said, Joe Gibbs first tried to call and talk Nascar out of demanding signatures, but Nascar’s leader declined the request.

“Please don’t force this on us,” Gibbs recounted was the message to Nascar’s leadership. She said France replied, “If I wake up and I have 20 charters, I have 20. If I have 30, I have 30.”