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Michael Jeffrey Jordan, as he cordially introduced himself in a federal courtroom on Friday, stated that his drive to win and status as a newcomer emboldened his push for 23XI Racing to “challenge” Nascar over perceived violations of antitrust rules.

Team Investment and a Will to Win

Jordan shared operational insights of his 23XI team, saying he invested $40m of his personal wealth into the Nascar Cup series team co-founded with partner Polk and driver Hamlin.

“Someone had to step forward,” Jordan said during testimony. “As a newcomer, I wasn’t afraid. I felt I could challenge Nascar as a whole. I felt as far as the sport it needed to be looked at through a new lens.”

Central Issue: Charter Agreements and Contract Pressure

At issue is the expiration of a 2016 agreement where Nascar granted each team a franchise. This system mirrors other professional sports with independent franchises, such as the NBA’s 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 left the court to pandemonium, with onlookers and reporters vying for a glimpse or a picture of the sports legend.

Spearheading the Fight

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 maintain excessive control.

At issue for Jordan and a fellow team representative, who testified before Jordan, are events from last September. She recounted a hectic and tense period where the sanctioning body told teams they must sign a contract extension. This agreement consists of over a hundred pages detailing pay for chartered teams and a guaranteed spot in Nascar-sponsored races.

A Refusal to Sign

Jordan said that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports concluded their sole viable path was to decline to sign that extensive document and litigate the matter. The other 13 organizations agreed to the terms.

The team owners approached Nascar about possible changes or extension options. Nascar refused to engage, according to his testimony.

The Ultimate Motivation: Victory

But in the end, the pushback against what he saw as a financially unsustainable model was mostly about the usual bottom line for Jordan: Winning.

“Denny convinced me adding a third car improved our chances to win,” he testified, noting that he purchased another franchise late in 2024 for $28m amid the legal dispute. “So I took the plunge.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

Gibbs described her push for indefinite franchises, submitted in a formal letter to Nascar. She testified the pressure of the contract signing demand didn’t sit well.

She said, the team founder first attempted to call and persuade Nascar against demanding signatures, but CEO Jim France declined the request.

“Please don’t force this on us,” Heather Gibbs said Joe Gibbs told Nascar’s leadership. She said France replied, “If I wake up and I have 20 charters, I have 20. If I have 30, that’s the number.”