Michael Jordan Testifies He Felt No Fear of the Racing Body in Antitrust Trial

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

Team Investment and a Competitive Drive

The owner disclosed operational insights of his racing venture, revealing he put in $40 million of his own funds into the Cup Series operation launched with business partner Curtis Polk and driver Hamlin.

“It fell to someone to act,” Jordan said in the Charlotte courtroom. “As a newcomer, I had no fear. I felt I could challenge Nascar as a whole. From my perspective, the sport required examination through a new lens.”

Central Issue: Franchise System and Contract Pressure

At issue is the end of a 2016 deal where Nascar granted each team a franchise. This system mirrors other professional sports with independent franchises, such as the NBA’s Hornets or the NFL’s Panthers. This deal was due to end in 2024 when Nascar demanded charter membership renewals.

Jordan was on the witness stand for about sixty minutes and exited the courthouse to a media frenzy, with onlookers and reporters clamoring for a glimpse or a photo of the global icon.

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 maintain excessive control.

For Jordan and and Heather Gibbs, who preceded Jordan, are events from last September. She recounted a frantic and emotional period where the racing circuit informed teams they must sign a contract extension. The document consists of 112 pages detailing team compensation and a guaranteed entry in every race.

A Refusal to Sign

Jordan said that his team and its ally concluded their sole viable path was to decline to sign that 112-page package and litigate the matter. The other 13 organizations agreed to the terms.

Jordan and co-owner Denny Hamlin reached out to Nascar about possible changes or extension options. Nascar refused to engage, according to his testimony.

The Bottom Line: Winning

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

“Denny convinced me adding a third car improved our chances to win,” he testified, sharing that he bought a third charter late in 2024 for $28 million despite the uncertainty. “So I dove in.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

Heather Gibbs detailed her push for indefinite franchises, submitted in a formal letter to Nascar. She testified the pressure of the signature deadline was problematic.

She said, Joe Gibbs first tried 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 leadership. The response was, “If I wake up and I have 20 charters, that’s what I have. If I have 30, that’s the number.”