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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 antitrust rules.

Team Investment and a Will to Win

The owner disclosed 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.

“It fell to someone to act,” Jordan stated during testimony. “As a newcomer, I wasn’t afraid. I felt I could challenge Nascar in its entirety. I felt as far as the sport required examination through a new lens.”

Central Issue: Franchise System and Contract Pressure

The heart of the case involves the end of a 2016 deal where Nascar granted each team a franchise. The concept is similar to other major leagues with separately owned franchises, like the NBA’s Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. This deal 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 vying for a glimpse or a picture of the sports legend.

Spearheading the Fight

23XI Racing is at the forefront of the push along with Front Row Motorsports for Nascar to change a business model Jordan contended is breaking the law to maintain excessive control.

At issue for Jordan and a fellow team representative, who preceded Jordan, are details from last September. Gibbs described a frantic and emotional six hours where the sanctioning body told teams they must sign a charter agreement extension. The document spanned over a hundred pages detailing pay for chartered teams and a guaranteed spot in every race.

Choosing Litigation

Jordan explained that his team and its ally decided their only feasible option was to refuse a signature that 112-page package and take the issue to court. The other 13 organizations signed the agreement.

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

The Ultimate Motivation: Winning

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

“Hamlin persuaded me adding a third car boosted our odds of winning,” he said, noting that he purchased another franchise last year for $28m amid the legal dispute. “So I dove in.”

Account from the Gibbs Family

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

According to her, Joe Gibbs first attempted to call and talk Nascar out of demanding signatures, but Nascar’s leader refused the appeal.

“Please don’t force this on us,” Gibbs recounted Joe Gibbs told Nascar’s executives. She said France replied, “If I wake up and I have 20 charters, I have 20. If there are 30, I have 30.”