🔗 Share this article Michael Jordan Testifies He ‘Wasn’t Afraid’ of the Racing Body in Antitrust Trial The basketball icon, introducing himself formally in a Charlotte court on Friday, stated that his competitive side and novelty within the sport emboldened his push for 23XI Racing to “challenge” Nascar over alleged violations of antitrust rules. Team Investment and a Will to Win Jordan shared operational insights of his 23XI team, revealing he put in $40 million of his personal wealth into the Nascar Cup series team launched 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 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 “charter”. The concept is similar to other major leagues with separately owned franchises, like the NBA’s Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. This deal was set to expire in 2024 when Nascar demanded teams renew their charters. Jordan was on the witness stand for an hour and exited the courthouse to pandemonium, with onlookers and reporters clamoring for a view or a photo of the global icon. Spearheading the Fight 23XI Racing is at the forefront of the push along with Front Row Motorsports for Nascar to change a operating model Jordan contended is breaking the law to keep two hands on the wheel. For Jordan and and Heather Gibbs, who preceded Jordan, are events from September 2024. She recounted a frantic and emotional period where the racing circuit informed teams they had to sign a contract extension. This agreement spanned over a hundred pages outlining team compensation and a guaranteed entry in every race. Choosing Litigation Jordan said that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports concluded their only feasible option was to refuse a signature that extensive document and take the issue to court. All other teams agreed to the terms. Jordan and co-owner Denny Hamlin approached Nascar about possible changes or extension options. Nascar refused to engage, Jordan said. The Bottom Line: Victory Ultimately, the pushback against what he saw as a unsustainable system was driven by the familiar goal for Jordan: Winning. “Denny convinced me getting a third driver improved our chances to win,” he said, sharing that he bought a third charter last year for $28 million despite the uncertainty. “So I dove in.” Heather Gibbs’ Testimony Gibbs described her push for indefinite franchises, submitted in a formal letter to Nascar. She testified the timing of the contract signing demand was problematic. She said, the team founder first tried to call and talk Nascar out of forcing signatures, but CEO Jim France declined the request. “Don’t do this to us,” Heather Gibbs said Joe Gibbs told Nascar’s leadership. She said France replied, “Whether I have 20 charters, I have 20. If there are 30, I have 30.”