🔗 Share this article

The basketball icon, as he cordially introduced himself in a Charlotte court on Friday, admitted that his drive to win and status as a newcomer motivated his effort with 23XI Racing to “challenge” Nascar over perceived violations of competition laws.

Financial Stakes and a Will to Win

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

“Someone had to step forward,” Jordan said during testimony. “As a newcomer, I wasn’t afraid. I felt I could challenge Nascar in its entirety. From my perspective, the sport required examination from a different view.”

The Core Dispute: Franchise System and Renewal Demands

The heart of the case involves the end of a 2016 deal where Nascar granted each team a “charter”. This system mirrors other major leagues with independent franchises, such as 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 about sixty minutes and left the court to pandemonium, with fans and media vying for a view or a picture of the global icon.

Spearheading the Fight

23XI Racing is at the forefront of the push along with another racing team for Nascar to change a business model Jordan said is breaking the law to keep two hands on the wheel.

For Jordan and 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 consists of 112 pages detailing pay for chartered teams and a guaranteed entry in Nascar-sponsored races.

A Refusal to Sign

Jordan explained that his team and its ally decided their only feasible option was to refuse a signature that extensive document and litigate the matter. The other 13 organizations signed the agreement.

The team owners approached Nascar about potential amendments or negotiations. Nascar refused to engage, Jordan said.

The Ultimate Motivation: Victory

But in the end, the pushback against what he saw as a unsustainable system was mostly about the familiar goal for Jordan: Success.

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

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

Gibbs described 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, Joe Gibbs first attempted to call and talk Nascar out of demanding signatures, but Nascar’s leader declined the request.

“Please don’t force this on us,” Gibbs recounted was the message to Nascar’s executives. 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.”