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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 status as a newcomer motivated his push for 23XI Racing to confront Nascar over alleged violations of antitrust rules.

Team Investment and a Competitive Drive

Jordan shared financial and corporate details of his 23XI team, saying he invested $40m of his own funds into the Cup Series operation launched 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 had no fear. I felt I could challenge Nascar as a whole. From my perspective, the sport it needed to be looked at through a new lens.”

Central Issue: Charter Agreements and Renewal Demands

At issue is the expiration of a 2016 agreement where Nascar granted each team a “charter”. The concept is similar to other major leagues with separately owned franchises, such as the Charlotte Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. The agreement was due to end in 2024 when Nascar demanded charter membership renewals.

Jordan testified for an hour and exited the courthouse to pandemonium, with onlookers and reporters clamoring 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 unlawful to maintain excessive control.

At issue for Jordan and a fellow team representative, who testified before Jordan, are details from September 2024. She recounted a hectic and tense period where the sanctioning body told teams they had to sign a charter agreement extension. The document consists of 112 pages detailing team compensation and a guaranteed spot in every race.

Choosing Litigation

Jordan said that his team and its ally decided their only feasible option was to refuse a signature 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, according to his testimony.

The Bottom Line: Victory

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

“Hamlin persuaded me getting a third driver boosted our odds of winning,” he testified, noting that he bought a third charter last year for $28 million despite the uncertainty. “So I dove in.”

Account from the Gibbs Family

Gibbs described her request for permanent charters, which she said 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 refused the appeal.

“Don’t do this to us,” Heather Gibbs said Joe Gibbs told Nascar’s executives. She said France replied, “If I wake up and I have 20 charters, that’s what I have. If I have 30, I have 30.”