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The basketball icon, as he cordially introduced himself in a Charlotte court on Friday, admitted that his drive to win and novelty within the sport emboldened his push for 23XI Racing to confront Nascar over alleged violations of competition laws.

Team Investment and a Competitive Drive

Jordan shared financial and corporate details of his 23XI team, saying he invested $40 million of his personal wealth into the Cup Series operation co-founded with business partner Curtis Polk and driver Hamlin.

“Someone had to step forward,” Jordan said in the Charlotte courtroom. “I was a new person, I wasn’t afraid. I believed I could take on Nascar in its entirety. I felt as far as the sport it needed to be looked at through a new lens.”

The Core Dispute: Charter Agreements and Renewal Demands

At issue is the expiration of a 2016 agreement where Nascar granted each team a franchise. This system mirrors other major leagues with independent franchises, such as the Charlotte Hornets or the NFL’s Panthers. This deal was due to end in 2024 when Nascar demanded teams renew their charters.

Jordan was on the witness stand for about sixty minutes and left the court to pandemonium, with fans and media clamoring for a view or a picture 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 overhaul 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 events from last September. Gibbs described a hectic and tense period where the racing circuit told teams they had to sign a contract extension. This agreement consists of over a hundred pages outlining pay for chartered teams and a guaranteed entry in Nascar-sponsored races.

A Refusal to Sign

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

Jordan and co-owner Denny Hamlin approached Nascar about possible changes or negotiations. Nascar wasn’t talking, Jordan said.

The Ultimate Motivation: Victory

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

“Denny convinced me getting a third driver boosted our odds of winning,” he said, noting that he purchased another franchise late in 2024 for $28m amid the legal dispute. “So I dove in.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

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

According to her, 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 Joe Gibbs told Nascar’s executives. The response was, “Whether I have 20 charters, that’s what I have. If I have 30, that’s the number.”