23XI, FRM vs. NASCAR trial: Michael Jordan fires shot at Jim France while on the stand

This afternoon, Michael Jordan took the stand in the NASCAR antitrust trial. At one point, he fired a verbal jab at Jim France. While his time testifying was less confrontational than other witnesses, Jordan found his spots where he could get a dig in at the Defendants.

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are suing NASCAR over alleged antitrust violations. The court has already ruled that NASCAR has a monopoly on premier stock car racing. Now, the teams are seeking to prove that the sanctioning body uses illegal methods to grow and maintain its monopoly.

Michael Jordan seemed to take issue with drivers not getting the credit they deserve. He bashed NASCAR and Jim France a bit.

Matt Weaver of Motorsport reports that, “MJ says he wants to push NASCAR to be better. He says the drivers and teams assume most of the risk while NASCAR ‘sits in Florida.'”

“I never saw Jim France drive a car or risk his life,” Jordan reportedly testified. ” … give a little more credit to those who put their life on the line.” The 23XI team owner continued to go to bat for drivers.

“No insurance. No union … That’s where I thought the sport needed to grow,” Michael Jordan said.

It was perhaps only a matter of time before a driver’s union was at least mentioned. Jordan clearly wants to see NASCAR go to a model much more like the NBA. That would include collective bargaining for talent and other challenges.

Michael Jordan explains why he is suing NASCAR

When Michael Jordan took the stand, he went through some background questions. That included being asked about why he is suing NASCAR in the first place.

“Someone had to step forward and challenge the entity to understand that it is a real concern from our aspect,” Jordan testified, according to Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal. A challenge to the entity, that being NASCAR.

Jordan is one of the most famous people alive. He is the biggest American sports icon ever. That is a tough thing to go against for NASCAR, especially when he’s on the stand and in front of a jury. We will see just how impactful his testimony ends up being.

NASCAR played it cool by not getting confrontational with Michael Jordan. Again, can’t be contentious with the most famous man in the room. Generally, not a great look.