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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 effort with 23XI Racing to confront Nascar over alleged violations of antitrust rules.

Team Investment and a Will to Win

The owner disclosed operational insights of his racing venture, saying he put in $40 million of his own funds into the Cup Series operation launched with business partner Curtis Polk and driver Hamlin.

“It fell to someone to act,” Jordan said in the Charlotte courtroom. “As a newcomer, I had no fear. I believed I could take on Nascar as a whole. I felt as far as the sport required examination from a different view.”

The Core Dispute: Charter Agreements and Renewal Demands

At issue is the end of a 2016 agreement where Nascar granted each team a franchise. This system mirrors other professional sports with separately owned franchises, like the Charlotte Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. This deal was due to end in 2024 when Nascar insisted on charter membership renewals.

Jordan was on the witness stand for about sixty minutes and left the court to a media frenzy, with fans and media vying for a view or a picture of the global icon.

Leading the Legal Charge

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

At issue for Jordan and Heather Gibbs, who preceded Jordan, are details from last September. Gibbs described a frantic and emotional period where the racing circuit informed teams they had to sign a charter agreement extension. The document consists of over a hundred pages detailing team compensation and a guaranteed entry in every race.

Choosing Litigation

Jordan said that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports decided their sole viable path was to decline to sign that extensive document and take the issue to court. All other teams signed the agreement.

Jordan and co-owner Denny Hamlin approached Nascar about possible changes or extension options. Nascar wasn’t talking, according to his testimony.

The Bottom Line: Winning

Ultimately, the pushback against what he saw as a financially unsustainable model was driven by the familiar goal for Jordan: Success.

“Denny convinced me getting a third driver improved our chances to win,” he testified, noting that he purchased another franchise last year for $28m despite the uncertainty. “So I took the plunge.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

Heather Gibbs detailed her push for indefinite franchises, submitted in a formal letter to Nascar. She testified the timing of the signature deadline didn’t sit well.

According to her, Joe Gibbs first tried to call and talk Nascar out of demanding signatures, but CEO Jim France refused the appeal.

“Don’t do this to us,” Heather Gibbs said was the message to Nascar’s leadership. The response was, “If I wake up and I have 20 charters, that’s what I have. If I have 30, I have 30.”