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Michael Jeffrey Jordan, introducing himself formally in a Charlotte court on Friday, admitted that his drive to win and status as a newcomer emboldened his effort with 23XI Racing to confront Nascar over alleged violations of competition laws.

Team Investment and a Will to Win

The owner disclosed operational insights of his racing venture, 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 in the Charlotte courtroom. “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 required examination through a new lens.”

Central Issue: Franchise System and Renewal Demands

At issue is the expiration of a 2016 deal where Nascar provided each team a “charter”. This system mirrors other professional sports with separately owned franchises, such as the Charlotte Hornets or the NFL’s Panthers. This deal was due to end in 2024 when Nascar demanded teams renew their charters.

Jordan was on the witness stand for about sixty minutes and exited the courthouse to pandemonium, with fans and media 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 change a operating model Jordan said is breaking the law to maintain excessive control.

At issue for Jordan and Heather Gibbs, who preceded Jordan, are details from September 2024. Gibbs described 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 team compensation and a guaranteed entry in Nascar-sponsored races.

A Refusal to Sign

Jordan said that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports decided 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 possible changes or negotiations. Nascar refused to engage, Jordan said.

The Bottom Line: Winning

Ultimately, the resistance against what he saw as a financially unsustainable model was mostly about the usual bottom line for Jordan: Winning.

“Denny convinced me getting a third driver boosted our odds of winning,” he said, sharing that he bought a third charter late in 2024 for $28 million amid the legal dispute. “So I took the plunge.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

Heather Gibbs detailed her request for permanent charters, submitted in a formal letter to Nascar. She testified the timing of the signature deadline was problematic.

She said, Joe Gibbs first tried to call and talk Nascar out of forcing signatures, but Nascar’s leader declined the request.

“Don’t do this to us,” Heather Gibbs said Joe Gibbs told Nascar’s executives. She said France replied, “If I wake up and I have 20 charters, that’s what I have. If I have 30, that’s the number.”