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Michael Jeffrey Jordan, introducing himself formally in a Charlotte court on Friday, admitted that his competitive side 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 racing venture, saying he put in $40m of his personal wealth into the Cup Series operation co-founded with partner Polk and driver Hamlin.

“Someone had to step forward,” 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 through a new lens.”

The Core Dispute: Charter Agreements and Contract Pressure

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 independent franchises, like the Charlotte Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. The agreement was set to expire in 2024 when Nascar insisted on teams renew their charters.

Jordan was on the witness stand for about sixty minutes and left the court to a media frenzy, with fans and media vying for a glimpse or a picture of the sports legend.

Leading the Legal Charge

23XI Racing is at the forefront of the push along with Front Row Motorsports for Nascar to change a operating model Jordan said is breaking the law to keep two hands on the wheel.

At issue for Jordan and Heather Gibbs, who testified before Jordan, are events from last September. She recounted a frantic and emotional six hours where the racing circuit informed teams they had to sign a charter agreement extension. This agreement consists of over a hundred pages detailing team compensation and a guaranteed spot in every race.

A Refusal to Sign

Jordan said that his team and its ally concluded their only feasible option was to decline to sign that 112-page package and litigate the matter. All other teams agreed to the terms.

Jordan and co-owner Denny Hamlin approached Nascar about potential amendments or extension options. Nascar refused to engage, Jordan said.

The Ultimate Motivation: Winning

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

“Hamlin persuaded me adding a third car boosted our odds of winning,” he testified, noting that he purchased another franchise last year for $28 million despite the uncertainty. “So I dove in.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

Heather Gibbs detailed her request for permanent charters, submitted in a formal letter to Nascar. She testified the pressure of the contract signing demand didn’t sit well.

She said, Joe Gibbs first tried to call and persuade Nascar against demanding signatures, but Nascar’s leader refused the appeal.

“Don’t do this to us,” Heather Gibbs said was the message to Nascar’s executives. She said France replied, “Whether I have 20 charters, I have 20. If I have 30, that’s the number.”