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Michael Jeffrey Jordan, as he cordially introduced himself in a Charlotte court on Friday, stated that his competitive side and status as a newcomer emboldened his push for 23XI Racing to confront Nascar over alleged violations of competition laws.

Team Investment and a Will to Win

Jordan shared financial and corporate details of his racing venture, revealing he invested $40m of his own funds into the Cup Series operation co-founded with partner Polk and driver Hamlin.

“It fell to someone to act,” Jordan said in the Charlotte courtroom. “As a newcomer, I wasn’t afraid. I felt I could challenge Nascar as a whole. I felt as far as the sport required examination through a new lens.”

The Core Dispute: Charter Agreements and Renewal Demands

The heart of the case involves the end of a 2016 deal where Nascar granted each team a “charter”. The concept is similar to other professional sports with separately owned franchises, like the NBA’s Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. This deal was due to end in 2024 when Nascar insisted on teams renew their charters.

Jordan testified for about sixty minutes and exited the courthouse to pandemonium, with fans and media clamoring for a view or a photo 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 unlawful to keep two hands on the wheel.

At issue for Jordan and a fellow team representative, who preceded Jordan, are details from last September. Gibbs described a hectic and tense six hours where the racing circuit informed teams they had to sign a contract extension. The document spanned 112 pages detailing pay for chartered teams 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 refuse a signature that 112-page package and take the issue to court. All other teams agreed to the terms.

The team owners approached Nascar about potential amendments or extension options. Nascar wasn’t talking, Jordan said.

The Ultimate Motivation: Victory

But in the end, the pushback against what he saw as a financially unsustainable model was driven by the usual bottom line for Jordan: Success.

“Hamlin persuaded me adding a third car improved our chances to win,” he said, noting that he bought a third charter late in 2024 for $28 million despite the uncertainty. “So I dove in.”

Account from the Gibbs Family

Heather Gibbs detailed her request for permanent charters, which she said a written letter to Nascar. She testified the timing of the contract signing demand was problematic.

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

“Please don’t force this on us,” Gibbs recounted was the message to Nascar’s leadership. She said France replied, “If I wake up and I have 20 charters, that’s what I have. If I have 30, I have 30.”