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The basketball icon, introducing himself formally in a Charlotte court on Friday, admitted that his drive to win and novelty within the sport emboldened his effort with 23XI Racing to “challenge” Nascar over perceived violations of competition laws.

Team Investment and a Competitive Drive

Jordan shared financial and corporate details of his racing venture, saying he invested $40m of his personal wealth into the Cup Series operation launched with business partner Curtis Polk and driver Hamlin.

“Someone had to step forward,” Jordan stated in the Charlotte courtroom. “I was a new person, I had no fear. I felt I could challenge Nascar in its entirety. From my perspective, the sport required examination from a different view.”

Central Issue: Charter Agreements and Contract Pressure

At issue is the expiration of a 2016 agreement where Nascar provided each team a “charter”. The concept is similar to other professional sports with independent franchises, like the Charlotte Hornets or the NFL’s Panthers. The agreement was due to end in 2024 when Nascar demanded teams renew their charters.

Jordan testified for about sixty minutes and left the court to a media frenzy, with onlookers and reporters vying for a view or a picture of the global icon.

Leading the Legal Charge

Jordan’s 23XI is at the forefront of the push along with another racing team for Nascar to change a operating model Jordan said is unlawful to keep two hands on the wheel.

At issue for Jordan and Heather Gibbs, who preceded Jordan, are details from September 2024. She recounted a frantic and emotional period where the sanctioning body told teams they must sign a charter agreement extension. The document spanned over a hundred pages outlining team compensation and a guaranteed entry in every race.

Choosing Litigation

Jordan explained that his team and its ally concluded their only feasible option was to refuse a signature that 112-page package and take the issue to court. All other teams signed the agreement.

Jordan and co-owner Denny Hamlin reached out to Nascar about potential amendments or extension options. Nascar refused to engage, Jordan said.

The Bottom Line: Winning

But in the end, the resistance against what he saw as a financially unsustainable model was mostly about the familiar goal for Jordan: Success.

“Hamlin persuaded me getting a third driver improved our chances to win,” he testified, noting that he bought a third charter last year for $28 million despite the uncertainty. “So I dove in.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

Gibbs described her request for permanent charters, which she said a written letter to Nascar. She testified the timing of the signature deadline didn’t sit well.

According to her, the team founder first tried to call and persuade Nascar against forcing signatures, but CEO Jim France declined the request.

“Please don’t force this on us,” Heather Gibbs said Joe Gibbs told 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.”