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Michael Jeffrey Jordan, introducing himself formally in a federal courtroom on Friday, stated that his drive to win and status as a newcomer motivated his push for 23XI Racing to “challenge” Nascar over perceived violations of competition laws.

Team Investment and a Competitive Drive

The owner disclosed financial and corporate details of his 23XI team, revealing he put in $40m of his personal wealth into the Cup Series operation co-founded with partner Polk and driver Hamlin.

“It fell to someone to act,” Jordan said during testimony. “As a newcomer, I had no fear. I believed I could take on Nascar in its entirety. From my perspective, the sport it needed to be looked at from a different view.”

The Core Dispute: Charter Agreements and Renewal Demands

At issue is the expiration of a 2016 agreement where Nascar granted each team a franchise. This system mirrors other major leagues with separately owned franchises, like the NBA’s Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. The agreement was due to end in 2024 when Nascar insisted on charter membership renewals.

Jordan testified for about sixty minutes and left the court to a media frenzy, with onlookers and reporters clamoring for a view or a photo of the sports legend.

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 unlawful to maintain excessive control.

At issue for Jordan and a fellow team representative, who testified before Jordan, are events from last September. She recounted a frantic and emotional six hours where the racing circuit told teams they must sign a charter agreement extension. This agreement consists of 112 pages outlining pay for chartered teams and a guaranteed entry 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 112-page package and litigate the matter. All other teams signed the agreement.

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

The Ultimate Motivation: Victory

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

“Denny convinced me adding a third car improved our chances to win,” he testified, noting that he bought a third charter last year for $28m amid the legal dispute. “So I dove in.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

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

She said, the team founder first attempted to call and persuade Nascar against demanding signatures, but CEO Jim France refused the appeal.

“Don’t do this to us,” Heather Gibbs said was the message to Nascar’s executives. The response was, “If I wake up and I have 20 charters, I have 20. If there are 30, that’s the number.”