CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Michael Jordan, a figure synonymous with iconic moments, recently found himself at the center of a significant legal battle, this time in a federal courthouse. The basketball legend, known for his towering achievements on the court, has now taken on a new challenge, stepping up as a key witness against NASCAR in an antitrust lawsuit.

On Friday, Jordan testified against the stock car racing giant, advocating on behalf of his racing team, 23XI, and Front Row Motorsports. Both teams are pressing NASCAR to reform its business practices, accusing the organization of maintaining a monopolistic grip on the sport. “Someone had to step forward and challenge the entity,” Jordan expressed to the jury, his quiet resolve clear. “I felt I could challenge NASCAR as a whole.”

This courtroom appearance marks a different kind of spotlight for the 62-year-old, whose legacy is largely built on the six NBA championships he secured with the Chicago Bulls. In retirement, Jordan has diversified his endeavors, including his relatively recent venture into NASCAR team ownership alongside Denny Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 victor. Their team, 23XI, cleverly combines Jordan’s famous jersey number with Hamlin’s race car number.

Clad in a dark blue suit, Jordan made his way to the witness stand during the afternoon session. He adjusted the seat to accommodate his 6-foot-6 stature, taking his place while an attentive courtroom awaited his testimony, hanging onto his every word.

Dressed in a dark blue suit, Jordan slowly headed to the stand for the afternoon session, adjusted the seat for his 6-foot-6 frame and settled in. Those in the packed courtroom hung on every word.

Jordan said he grew up a NASCAR fan, attending races at 11 or 12 with his family at tracks in Charlotte and Rockingham in his home state but also at Darlington in South Carolina and the Talladega superspeedway in Alabama.

“We called it a weekend vacation,” he said.

There were moments of levity on a dramatic day of testimony that also included Heather Gibbs, the daughter-in-law of team owner and NFL Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs. People were turned away from the courtroom and U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell couldn’t help but notice the high attendance in front of him as well as an overflow room nearby.

“I take it Mr. Jordan is the next witness,” Bell quipped.

Jordan noted he was an early fan of Richard Petty, like his dad. He later gravitated to Cale Yarborough, “the original No. 11, Sorry, Denny,” Jordan testified as Hamlin watched from the gallery.

Jordan was asked to outline his career, noting his time with the Bulls and adding he remains al minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets. Did he play anywhere else?

“I try to forget it but I did,” said Jordan, who played for the Washington Wizards in a mostly forgettable return to the NBA after his championship runs with the Bulls and a brief time playing minor league baseball.

But Jordan spent most of his time making clear why he was in court suing the series he loves over the charters that guarantee teams revenue and access to Cup Series races. Among other things, the plaintiffs want the charters made permanent, which NASCAR has balked at.

“Look, we saw the economics wasn’t really beneficial to the teams,” Jordan testified, adding: “The thing I see in NASCAR that I think is absent is a shared responsibility of growth as well as loss.”

As the session wound down, defense attorney Lawrence Buterman noted the novelty of cross-examining an icon like Jordan, closing with the comment: “Thank you for making my 9-year-old think I’m cool today.”

“You’re not wearing any Jordans today,” Jordan replied, adding a “whew” before leaving the witness stand.

___

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing