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

Team Investment and a Will to Win

The owner disclosed financial and corporate details of his 23XI team, saying he invested $40m of his own funds into the Nascar Cup series team launched with partner Polk and driver Hamlin.

“It fell to someone to act,” Jordan stated in the Charlotte courtroom. “As a newcomer, I wasn’t afraid. I felt I could challenge Nascar in its entirety. I felt as far as the sport required examination from a different view.”

The Core Dispute: Franchise System and Renewal Demands

At issue is the end of a 2016 agreement where Nascar granted each team a franchise. The concept is similar to other professional sports with independent franchises, like the NBA’s Hornets or the NFL’s Panthers. This deal was set to expire in 2024 when Nascar demanded charter membership renewals.

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

Spearheading the Fight

Jordan’s 23XI is at the forefront of the push along with Front Row Motorsports for Nascar to overhaul a operating model Jordan said is breaking the law to maintain excessive control.

For Jordan and and Heather Gibbs, who testified before Jordan, are details from September 2024. Gibbs described a frantic and emotional six hours where the sanctioning body informed teams they had to sign a contract extension. The document spanned 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 concluded their only feasible option was to refuse a signature that 112-page package and take the issue to court. The other 13 organizations agreed to the terms.

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

The Ultimate Motivation: Winning

Ultimately, the pushback against what he saw as a unsustainable system was driven by the usual bottom line for Jordan: Winning.

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

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

Heather Gibbs detailed her request for permanent charters, which she said a written letter to Nascar. She testified the pressure of the contract signing demand didn’t sit well.

She said, Joe Gibbs first tried to call and persuade Nascar against demanding signatures, but Nascar’s leader refused the appeal.

“Please don’t force this on us,” Gibbs recounted was the message to Nascar’s leadership. The response was, “If I wake up and I have 20 charters, I have 20. If there are 30, that’s the number.”