The NBA legend Tells Court He Felt No Fear of Nascar in Antitrust Trial

The basketball icon, introducing himself formally in a Charlotte court on Friday, stated that his drive to win and status as a newcomer emboldened his effort with 23XI Racing to confront Nascar over alleged violations of antitrust rules.

Team Investment and a Competitive Drive

Jordan shared operational insights of his racing venture, revealing he put in $40m of his own funds into the Nascar Cup series team co-founded with business partner Curtis Polk and driver Hamlin.

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

The Core Dispute: Charter Agreements and Contract Pressure

The heart of the case involves the end of a 2016 deal where Nascar granted each team a franchise. The concept is similar to other professional sports with separately owned franchises, such as the Charlotte Hornets or the Carolina Panthers. This deal was due to end in 2024 when Nascar insisted on teams renew their charters.

Jordan testified for about sixty minutes and exited the courthouse to a media frenzy, with fans and media vying for a glimpse or a photo of the sports legend.

Leading the Legal Charge

Jordan’s 23XI is at the forefront of the push along with another racing team for Nascar to change a operating model Jordan said is unlawful to keep two hands on the wheel.

For Jordan and and a fellow team representative, who testified before Jordan, are details from last September. Gibbs described a frantic and emotional period where the racing circuit told teams they must sign a charter agreement extension. The document spanned over a hundred pages outlining team compensation and a guaranteed entry in Nascar-sponsored races.

A Refusal to Sign

Jordan said that his team and its ally 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 reached out to Nascar about potential amendments or negotiations. Nascar refused to engage, according to his testimony.

The Bottom Line: Winning

But in the end, the resistance against what he saw as a financially unsustainable model was driven by the familiar goal for Jordan: Winning.

“Denny convinced me getting a third driver improved our chances to win,” he testified, sharing that he bought a third charter late in 2024 for $28m amid the legal dispute. “So I took the plunge.”

Heather Gibbs’ Testimony

Gibbs described her request for permanent charters, which she said a formal letter to Nascar. She said the timing of the signature deadline was problematic.

According to her, Joe Gibbs first attempted to call and talk Nascar out of forcing signatures, but CEO Jim France declined the request.

“Don’t do this to us,” Gibbs recounted Joe Gibbs told Nascar’s leadership. The response was, “Whether I have 20 charters, that’s what I have. If there are 30, I have 30.”