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The basketball icon, introducing himself formally in a Charlotte court on Friday, admitted that his competitive side and novelty within the sport emboldened his effort with 23XI Racing to “challenge” Nascar over perceived violations of competition laws.

Financial Stakes and a Competitive Drive

Jordan shared financial and corporate details of his racing venture, saying he invested $40 million of his personal wealth into the Cup Series operation co-founded with business partner Curtis Polk and longtime driver Denny Hamlin.

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

Central Issue: Franchise System and Contract Pressure

The heart of the case involves the end of a 2016 deal where Nascar provided each team a franchise. The concept is similar to other major leagues with independent franchises, such as the Charlotte Hornets or the NFL’s Panthers. The agreement was due to end in 2024 when Nascar insisted on charter membership renewals.

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

Leading the Legal Charge

23XI Racing is at the forefront of the push along with another racing team for Nascar to change a business model Jordan contended is breaking the law to keep two hands on the wheel.

For Jordan and and a fellow team representative, who testified before Jordan, are events from last September. She recounted a hectic and tense six hours where the racing circuit told teams they must sign a charter agreement extension. This agreement spanned 112 pages outlining team compensation and a guaranteed spot in every race.

A Refusal to Sign

Jordan explained that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports decided their sole viable path was to refuse a signature that 112-page package and litigate the matter. All other teams signed the agreement.

The team owners approached Nascar about possible changes or negotiations. Nascar refused to engage, according to his testimony.

The Bottom Line: Winning

Ultimately, the pushback against what he saw as a unsustainable system was mostly about the familiar goal for Jordan: Success.

“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 amid the legal dispute. “So I dove in.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

Gibbs described her request for permanent charters, submitted in a formal letter to Nascar. She said 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 refused the appeal.

“Please don’t force this on us,” Gibbs recounted was the message to Nascar’s executives. The response was, “If I wake up and I have 20 charters, that’s what I have. If I have 30, I have 30.”