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The basketball icon, as he cordially introduced himself in a federal courtroom on Friday, admitted that his drive to win and novelty within the sport motivated his push for 23XI Racing to confront Nascar over alleged violations of antitrust rules.

Team Investment and a Will to Win

Jordan shared operational insights of his racing venture, revealing he put in $40 million of his personal wealth into the Cup Series operation launched with business partner Curtis Polk and driver 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 in its entirety. From my perspective, the sport it needed to be looked at through a new lens.”

The Core Dispute: Franchise System and Renewal Demands

At issue is the expiration of a 2016 deal where Nascar provided each team a franchise. This system mirrors other professional sports with independent franchises, such as the NBA’s Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. This deal was due to end in 2024 when Nascar insisted on charter membership renewals.

Jordan testified for an hour and exited the courthouse to pandemonium, with onlookers and reporters vying for a view or a photo of the global icon.

Leading the Legal Charge

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

For Jordan and and Heather Gibbs, who testified before Jordan, are details from September 2024. She recounted a hectic and tense six hours where the racing circuit informed teams they must sign a contract extension. The document spanned 112 pages detailing pay for chartered teams and a guaranteed entry in Nascar-sponsored races.

Choosing Litigation

Jordan said that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports decided their only feasible option was to decline to sign that 112-page package and take the issue to court. The other 13 organizations signed the agreement.

Jordan and co-owner Denny Hamlin approached Nascar about potential amendments or negotiations. Nascar refused to engage, according to his testimony.

The Bottom Line: Winning

But in the end, the resistance against what he saw as a unsustainable system 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 purchased another franchise late in 2024 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 testified the pressure of the signature deadline didn’t sit well.

According to her, Joe Gibbs first tried to call and persuade Nascar against demanding signatures, but Nascar’s leader 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.”