23XI, FRM vs. NASCAR trial: Michael Jordan takes the stand to 'challenge the entity'

This afternoon, Michael Jordan took the stand in the NASCAR antitrust trial as his team, 23XI Racing, is suing the sport. 23XI, along with Front Row Motorsports, has accused NASCAR and Jim France of using illegal business tactics to maintain and further its monopoly on premier stock car racing.

Michael Jordan was called as a witness for 23XI Racing. While being questioned, the legendary basketball player was asked why he sued NASCAR. Possibly something the jury would like to know about.

“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.

Michael Jordan took the witness stand Friday, saying 23XI sued @NASCAR because he felt that "someone had to step forward and challenge the entity to understand that it is a real concern from our aspect," in terms of charters not being permanent or having better economic terms.

— Adam Stern (@A_S12) December 5, 2025

Michael Jordan will likely be one of the most impactful witnesses just because of who he is. While members of the jury were asked about their feelings towards the NBA superstar and cultural icon, there is something about having one of the most famous men in the world in front of you.

Jordan was also asked about his NBA career. During direct questioning by 23XI’s Jeffrey Kessler, he was asked if he played for any other teams besides the Chicago Bulls. His response, “I tried to forget, but I did [play for the Washington Wizards].”

When Michael Jordan was being questioned about his upbringing by the teams' lawyer and asked if he played for any teams other than the @ChicagoBulls, he responded that "I tried to forget, but I did" play for the @WashWizards.

— Adam Stern (@A_S12) December 5, 2025

Michael Jordan speaks, people listen. His testimony is going to matter a lot in this case and for the public perception of the lawsuit.

Michael Jordan testifies in NASCAR antitrust trial

Perhaps the testimony that everyone was looking forward to the most was Michael Jordan, who commands attention whenever he’s speaking publicly. ESPN was in Charlotte to do a hit with Jeff Gluck of The Athletic. Ryan McGee did a video spot on ESPN today talking about Jordan and his involvement in the lawsuit.

While it stinks that it takes the most famous athlete in the world suing NASCAR to get the sport on ESPN, it shows how big this lawsuit really is. No, ESPN hasn’t really followed the lawsuit closely at all for the 12+ months that it has been going on. But now the world is paying attention, even the world wide leader.

During Michael Jordan’s testimony, he touched on why he sued NASCAR, how he feels about the system, and even joked about his co-owner, Denny Hamlin. At one point, Jordan said he was a Cale Yarborough fan, the “original No. 11.” Then he apologized to Hamlin.

Jordan has been the corporate representative for 23XI Racing all week. So, he’s been in the courtroom every day. Now, he’s testified, and the jury is going to take that into consideration. How much it influences the case remains to be seen. More witnesses remain. The pace has been much quicker today since Judge Bell requested it yesterday. For now, it’s picked up the pace, but getting finished by next Friday is going to be tough.