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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 “challenge” Nascar over alleged violations of competition laws.

Financial Stakes and a Competitive Drive

Jordan shared financial and corporate details of his 23XI team, saying he invested $40m of his own funds into the Cup Series operation launched with partner Polk and driver Hamlin.

“It fell to someone to act,” Jordan said during testimony. “As a newcomer, I wasn’t afraid. I believed I could take on Nascar in its entirety. I felt as far as the sport required examination from a different view.”

The Core Dispute: Franchise System and Renewal Demands

At issue is the expiration of a 2016 agreement where Nascar granted each team a “charter”. This system mirrors other professional sports with separately owned franchises, like the Charlotte Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. This deal was set to expire in 2024 when Nascar demanded charter membership renewals.

Jordan was on the witness stand for an hour and left the court to pandemonium, with fans and media clamoring for a glimpse or a picture of the global icon.

Spearheading the Fight

Jordan’s 23XI is leading the full-court press along with another racing team for Nascar to overhaul a operating model Jordan said is breaking the law to keep two hands on the wheel.

For Jordan and and a fellow team representative, who preceded Jordan, are events from September 2024. She recounted a hectic and tense period where the racing circuit informed teams they had to sign a contract extension. This agreement consists of 112 pages outlining team compensation and a guaranteed spot in Nascar-sponsored races.

Choosing Litigation

Jordan explained 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 reached out to 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 financially unsustainable model was mostly about the familiar goal for Jordan: Winning.

“Hamlin persuaded me getting a third driver boosted our odds of winning,” he testified, sharing that he purchased another franchise last year for $28m amid the legal dispute. “So I took the plunge.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

Gibbs described her push for indefinite franchises, which she said a formal letter to Nascar. She said the pressure of the signature deadline was problematic.

According to her, the team founder first attempted to call and talk Nascar out of demanding signatures, but Nascar’s leader declined the request.

“Don’t do this to us,” Gibbs recounted was the message to Nascar’s leadership. She said France replied, “If I wake up and I have 20 charters, I have 20. If there are 30, I have 30.”