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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 perceived violations of antitrust rules.

Team Investment and a Competitive Drive

The owner disclosed operational insights of his racing venture, revealing he invested $40 million of his personal wealth into the Cup Series operation launched with partner Polk and driver Hamlin.

“Someone had to step forward,” Jordan stated during testimony. “I was a new person, I had no fear. I believed I could take on Nascar as a whole. I felt as far as the sport it needed to be looked at from a different view.”

Central Issue: Franchise System and Renewal Demands

At issue is the expiration of a 2016 deal where Nascar provided each team a franchise. The concept is similar to other major leagues with separately owned franchises, such as the Charlotte Hornets or the NFL’s Panthers. The agreement was set to expire in 2024 when Nascar demanded teams renew their charters.

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

Spearheading the Fight

23XI Racing is leading the full-court press along with another racing team for Nascar to change a operating model Jordan said is unlawful to maintain excessive control.

For Jordan and and Heather Gibbs, who testified before Jordan, are details from September 2024. Gibbs described a hectic and tense six hours where the sanctioning body informed teams they must sign a contract extension. This agreement spanned 112 pages outlining team compensation and a guaranteed spot in Nascar-sponsored races.

A Refusal to Sign

Jordan explained that his team and its ally decided their sole viable path was to decline to sign that 112-page package and litigate the matter. The other 13 organizations agreed to the terms.

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

The Ultimate Motivation: Winning

But in the end, the pushback against what he saw as a unsustainable system was mostly about the familiar goal for Jordan: Winning.

“Hamlin persuaded me getting a third driver improved our chances to win,” he said, sharing that he purchased another franchise last year for $28m amid the legal dispute. “So I took the plunge.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

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

She said, Joe Gibbs first attempted to call and persuade Nascar against demanding signatures, but Nascar’s leader declined the request.

“Don’t do this to us,” Gibbs recounted was the message to Nascar’s leadership. The response was, “Whether I have 20 charters, I have 20. If there are 30, I have 30.”