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Michael Jeffrey Jordan, introducing himself formally in a Charlotte court on Friday, stated that his drive to win and novelty within the sport emboldened his push for 23XI Racing to “challenge” Nascar over alleged violations of antitrust rules.

Team Investment and a Competitive Drive

Jordan shared operational insights of his 23XI team, revealing he invested $40m of his own funds into the Nascar Cup series team launched with business partner Curtis Polk and longtime driver Denny Hamlin.

“It fell to someone to act,” Jordan said in the Charlotte courtroom. “I was a new person, I had no fear. 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 Contract Pressure

The heart of the case involves the end of a 2016 agreement where Nascar provided each team a “charter”. This system mirrors other professional sports with separately owned franchises, such as the NBA’s Hornets or the NFL’s Panthers. This deal was due to end in 2024 when Nascar demanded teams renew their charters.

Jordan testified for an hour and left the court to pandemonium, with fans and media clamoring for a glimpse or a photo of the global icon.

Spearheading the Fight

23XI Racing is leading the full-court press along with another racing team for Nascar to overhaul 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 details from last September. She recounted a hectic and tense six hours where the sanctioning body informed teams they must sign a contract extension. The document spanned 112 pages detailing team compensation and a guaranteed entry in Nascar-sponsored races.

A Refusal to Sign

Jordan explained that his team and its ally decided their only feasible option was to decline to sign that 112-page package and litigate the matter. The other 13 organizations signed the agreement.

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

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: Winning.

“Hamlin persuaded me getting a third driver improved our chances to win,” he said, sharing that he bought a third charter late in 2024 for $28m amid the legal dispute. “So I dove in.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

Gibbs described her push for indefinite franchises, which she said a written letter to Nascar. She said the timing of the contract signing demand didn’t sit well.

According to her, Joe Gibbs first attempted to call and persuade Nascar against forcing signatures, but CEO Jim France refused the appeal.

“Please don’t force this on us,” Gibbs recounted was the message to 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.”