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Michael Jeffrey Jordan, introducing himself formally in a federal courtroom on Friday, stated that his drive to win and novelty within the sport emboldened his effort with 23XI Racing to confront Nascar over perceived violations of competition laws.

Team Investment and a Competitive Drive

The owner disclosed financial and corporate details of his 23XI team, saying he invested $40m of his own funds into the Cup Series operation co-founded with business partner Curtis Polk and driver Hamlin.

“Someone had to step forward,” Jordan stated during testimony. “I was a new person, I wasn’t afraid. I believed I could take on Nascar as a whole. From my perspective, the sport required examination through a new lens.”

Central Issue: Charter Agreements and Contract Pressure

At issue is the end of a 2016 deal where Nascar granted each team a franchise. This system mirrors other major leagues with separately owned franchises, like the Charlotte Hornets or the NFL’s Panthers. The agreement was set to expire in 2024 when Nascar demanded charter membership renewals.

Jordan testified for about sixty minutes and exited the courthouse to pandemonium, with onlookers and reporters clamoring for a glimpse or a picture of the global icon.

Leading the Legal Charge

23XI Racing is leading the full-court press along with Front Row Motorsports for Nascar to change a business model Jordan said is breaking the law to maintain excessive control.

For Jordan and and a fellow team representative, who preceded Jordan, are events from last September. Gibbs described a hectic and tense period where the racing circuit told teams they must sign a charter agreement extension. This agreement spanned 112 pages detailing pay for chartered teams and a guaranteed entry in Nascar-sponsored races.

Choosing Litigation

Jordan explained that his team and its ally decided their sole viable path was to refuse a signature that 112-page package and take the issue to court. The other 13 organizations agreed to the terms.

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

The Bottom Line: Winning

Ultimately, the resistance against what he saw as a unsustainable system was mostly about the familiar goal for Jordan: Winning.

“Denny convinced me getting a third driver boosted our odds of winning,” he testified, sharing that he bought a third charter last year for $28 million amid the legal dispute. “So I dove in.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

Heather Gibbs detailed her push for indefinite franchises, submitted in a written letter to Nascar. She said the timing of the signature deadline didn’t sit well.

According to her, the team founder first tried to call and talk Nascar out of forcing signatures, but CEO Jim France declined the request.

“Please don’t force this on us,” Gibbs recounted 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.”