The NBA legend Testifies He ‘Wasn’t Afraid’ of the Racing Body in Legal Battle

The basketball icon, introducing himself formally in a Charlotte court on Friday, stated that his competitive side and status as a newcomer motivated his effort with 23XI Racing to confront Nascar over perceived violations of competition laws.

Team Investment and a Will to Win

The owner disclosed operational insights of his racing venture, revealing he invested $40 million of his own funds into the Cup Series operation co-founded with partner Polk and longtime driver Denny Hamlin.

“Someone had to step forward,” Jordan said during testimony. “As a newcomer, I had no fear. I felt I could challenge Nascar as a whole. I felt as far as the sport it needed to be looked at from a different view.”

The Core Dispute: Franchise System and Renewal Demands

The heart of the case involves the expiration of a 2016 deal where Nascar granted each team a franchise. The concept is similar to other major leagues with independent franchises, like the NBA’s Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. The agreement was due to end in 2024 when Nascar insisted on teams renew their charters.

Jordan was on the witness stand for an hour and exited the courthouse to a media frenzy, with onlookers and reporters 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 business model Jordan contended is unlawful to keep two hands on the wheel.

At issue for Jordan and a fellow team representative, who testified before 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 over a hundred pages outlining team compensation and a guaranteed spot in Nascar-sponsored races.

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 litigate the matter. All other teams agreed to the terms.

The team owners approached Nascar about possible changes 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 driven by the usual bottom line for Jordan: Success.

“Denny convinced me getting a third driver improved our chances to win,” he testified, noting that he bought a third charter late in 2024 for $28m 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 said the timing of the contract signing demand didn’t sit well.

She said, the team founder first attempted to call and persuade Nascar against demanding signatures, but Nascar’s leader refused the appeal.

“Please don’t force this on us,” Gibbs recounted was the message to Nascar’s leadership. She said France replied, “Whether I have 20 charters, I have 20. If there are 30, I have 30.”