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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 motivated his effort with 23XI Racing to confront Nascar over perceived violations of competition laws.

Team Investment and a Will to Win

The owner disclosed operational insights of his racing venture, saying he invested $40 million of his own funds into the Nascar Cup series team co-founded with partner Polk and driver Hamlin.

“It fell to someone to act,” Jordan said 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 it needed to be looked at through a new lens.”

Central Issue: Franchise System and Renewal Demands

At issue is the expiration of a 2016 agreement where Nascar provided each team a franchise. The concept is similar to other major leagues with separately owned franchises, like the NBA’s Hornets or the NFL’s Panthers. This deal was set to expire in 2024 when Nascar insisted on teams renew their charters.

Jordan was on the witness stand for about sixty minutes and exited the courthouse to a media frenzy, with fans and media clamoring for a view or a photo of the sports legend.

Spearheading the Fight

Jordan’s 23XI is leading the full-court press along with Front Row Motorsports for Nascar to change a operating model Jordan said is breaking the law to keep two hands on the wheel.

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

Choosing Litigation

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. The other 13 organizations agreed to the terms.

The team owners approached Nascar about possible changes or extension options. Nascar wasn’t talking, Jordan said.

The Ultimate Motivation: Winning

Ultimately, the pushback against what he saw as a financially unsustainable model was mostly about the usual bottom line for Jordan: Success.

“Denny convinced me adding a third car improved our chances to win,” he said, sharing that he purchased another franchise late in 2024 for $28 million amid the legal dispute. “So I took the plunge.”

Account from the Gibbs Family

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.

She said, Joe Gibbs first attempted to call and talk Nascar out of demanding signatures, but CEO Jim France declined the request.

“Don’t do this to us,” Heather Gibbs said Joe Gibbs told Nascar’s leadership. She said France replied, “Whether I have 20 charters, that’s what I have. If I have 30, that’s the number.”