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Michael Jeffrey Jordan, as he cordially introduced himself in a Charlotte court on Friday, stated that his drive to win and status as a newcomer motivated his effort with 23XI Racing to confront Nascar over alleged violations of antitrust rules.

Team Investment and a Will to Win

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

“Someone had to step forward,” Jordan stated in the Charlotte courtroom. “As a newcomer, I had no fear. I felt I could challenge Nascar in its entirety. I felt as far as the sport required examination from a different view.”

Central Issue: Franchise System and Contract Pressure

At issue is the end of a 2016 deal where Nascar provided each team a “charter”. This system mirrors other major leagues with separately owned franchises, such as the NBA’s Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. The agreement was set to expire in 2024 when Nascar demanded teams renew their charters.

Jordan was on the witness stand for an hour and left the court to pandemonium, with onlookers and reporters vying for a glimpse or a photo of the global icon.

Spearheading the Fight

Jordan’s 23XI is at the forefront of the push along with another racing team for Nascar to change a business model Jordan said is breaking the law to maintain excessive control.

At issue for Jordan and Heather Gibbs, who testified before Jordan, are details from September 2024. Gibbs described a hectic and tense six hours where the sanctioning body told teams they had to sign a charter agreement extension. The document spanned over a hundred pages outlining team compensation 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 refuse a signature that 112-page package and litigate the matter. The other 13 organizations 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 resistance against what he saw as a financially unsustainable model was mostly about the familiar goal for Jordan: Winning.

“Hamlin persuaded me getting a third driver boosted our odds of winning,” he said, noting that he purchased another franchise late in 2024 for $28 million despite the uncertainty. “So I took the plunge.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

Heather Gibbs detailed her request for permanent charters, submitted in a written letter to Nascar. She said the timing of the signature deadline didn’t sit well.

According to her, Joe Gibbs first attempted to call and talk Nascar out of 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.”