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

Team Investment and a Will to Win

The owner disclosed operational insights of his 23XI team, saying he invested $40 million of his own funds into the Cup Series operation co-founded with business partner Curtis Polk and longtime driver Denny Hamlin.

“It fell to someone to act,” Jordan said during testimony. “I was a new person, I had no fear. I felt I could challenge Nascar as a whole. From my perspective, the sport required examination from a different view.”

Central Issue: Charter Agreements 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 major leagues with separately owned franchises, like the Charlotte Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. This deal was due to end in 2024 when Nascar insisted on charter membership renewals.

Jordan testified for about sixty minutes and exited the courthouse to a media frenzy, with onlookers and reporters clamoring 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 Front Row Motorsports for Nascar to change a operating model Jordan said is unlawful to maintain excessive control.

For Jordan and and Heather Gibbs, who preceded Jordan, are events from last September. Gibbs described a hectic and tense six hours where the sanctioning body told teams they must sign a contract extension. The document consists of over a hundred pages detailing pay for chartered teams and a guaranteed spot in Nascar-sponsored races.

A Refusal to Sign

Jordan explained that his team and its ally concluded their only feasible option was to refuse a signature that extensive document and take the issue to court. The other 13 organizations signed the agreement.

The team owners approached Nascar about potential amendments or negotiations. Nascar wasn’t talking, according to his testimony.

The Bottom Line: Winning

But in the end, the pushback against what he saw as a unsustainable system was driven by the familiar goal for Jordan: Success.

“Denny convinced me adding a third car boosted our odds of winning,” he said, noting that he bought a third charter last year for $28 million despite the uncertainty. “So I took the plunge.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

Gibbs described her push for indefinite franchises, submitted in a written letter to Nascar. She said the timing of the signature deadline was problematic.

She said, Joe Gibbs first tried to call and talk Nascar out of demanding signatures, but CEO Jim France refused the appeal.

“Please don’t force this on us,” Heather Gibbs said was the message to Nascar’s leadership. The response was, “Whether I have 20 charters, I have 20. If I have 30, that’s the number.”