NBA legend Michael Jordan testified in the 23XI Racing-Front Row Motorsport antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR on Friday, explaining his refusal to sign the charter agreement and making a self-deprecating joke about his Washington Wizards career
Michael Jordan says he’s ‘trying to forget’ ever playing for the Washington Wizards(Image: Icon Sportswire, Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Friday represented Day 5 of the 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports vs. NASCAR antitrust lawsuit proceedings in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it was the day many had marked on their calendars — Michael Jordan’s debut testimony on the witness stand.
The basketball legend and co-owner of 23XI had been present in court daily as the team’s designated representative, but finally got his opportunity to testify on Friday about why they chose, alongside FRM, to reject NASCAR‘s contentious new charter agreement in 2024 and instead pursue legal action against the organization, alleging “monopolistic” practices.
A devoted NASCAR enthusiast who attended races as a youngster with his father, Jordan — whose feelings about high-paid NBA stars came to light this week — decided to become directly involved in the sport in 2020 when he co-established 23XI with friend and Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin, with the team running its inaugural charter in the Cup Series, piloted by Bubba Wallace, in 2021.
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The organization, which collaborates with JGR in an arrangement valued at $8 million annually, now operates three full-time Toyota-powered Cup vehicles, all of which lost their chartered status this season due to the ongoing litigation, as was similarly the case for FRM’s three entries.
Jordan started his testimony like any other witness, identifying himself as a Wilmington, North Carolina native, after which attorney Danielle Williams asked if he had ever participated in any sports, according to The Athletic, joking, “I’ve heard you were pretty good at basketball.”
“I used to be,” quipped Jordan, often hailed as the greatest basketball player of all time.
When asked to recount his playing days, MJ naturally discussed his time with the Chicago Bulls, where he clinched six championships, but chose not to mention his two-season stint with the Washington Wizards, where he concluded his illustrious career.
Jordan unretired for the second time to join the Wizards in 2001(Image: Getty)
When probed on whether he ever played for another team, Jordan humorously responded, “I try to forget, but I did.”
Jordan came out of NBA retirement for a second time in 2001, joining the Wizards after a three-year hiatus from the league. Unfortunately, this move didn’t provide the fairy-tale ending for No. 23, with the Wizards recording a 37-45 season during his first year, while he averaged 22.9 points per game — his lowest since his second injury-shortened season in Chicago.
The following season saw the Wizards again miss out on the playoffs, posting a 37-45 record with Jordan scoring just 20.0 points per game — a stark contrast to his peak average of 37.1 during the 1986-1987 season.
Now far removed from his basketball days, Jordan’s attention is on NASCAR, where he boldly stated that he “wasn’t afraid” to challenge the bosses over the charter agreement, noting that fellow owners had been “browbeaten for so many years trying to get change and just could not get to that point.”
Jordan testified during the NASCAR antitrust trial on Friday(Image: Getty)
MJ further added, “It needed to be looked at from a whole different perspective, and that’s why we are here.”
He disclosed that he has invested between $35 to $40 million in 23XI so far. Despite the substantial investment, Jordan didn’t think it was in the team’s best interest to sign the agreement due to “its unfavorable economic terms, a clause that prevented teams from bringing antitrust action,” according to Jeff Gluck, and a NASCAR ultimatum that simply “didn’t best suit 23XI.”
Jordan elaborated that the teams wanted to discuss “four pillars” with NASCAR during negotiations, including permanent charters, but the organization wasn’t open to such discussions.
“If those are not put on the table, why are we signing the deal?” Jordan questioned. “We looked at every other opportunity from that point forward, and this is where we ended up.”
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Despite the challenging and often emotionally charged situation, MJ remains optimistic about NASCAR’s future, echoing sentiments recently expressed by Mark Martin. “The thing I’m hoping for is you create more of a partnership between two entities,” he remarked.
“If that’s the case, it becomes a more valuable business. If you can ever compromise on the things that matter, you can grow your business.”
Jordan’s peace offering came after an incredibly emotional statement from Joe Gibbs Racing co-owner Heather Gibbs. She not only talked about the alleged harsh approach NASCAR took towards charter negotiations, but also the sudden death of her husband, Coy, the day after their son Ty won the Xfinity Series in 2022.