League first, alcoholic beverage second and now another industry where NBA rivals Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas will be in common space. During a recent appearance on The Mark Jackson Show, Thomas shared exciting updates about his business ventures. After thriving with Cheurlin Champagne and securing a partnership with Total Wines, the 2x NBA champion has shifted gears—quite literally—into the automotive industry.

Zeke revealed on the show he recently stepped into the automotive space with One World Products. A market valued at a jaw-dropping $3.5 trillion in 2023, according to Yahoo Finance. Clearly, the potential is huge. Especially when Isiah Thomas is leading the charge as One World Products’ CEO and Executive Chairman.

The 2x NBA champ has recently been spearheading innovative efforts to bring industrial hemp into the automotive sector through One World Products.

“I think you and I talked about that… How we are taking industrial hemp moving into the automotive space. And just signed a contract with Flex-N-Gate and the owner of Flex-N-Gate owns the Jacksonville Jaguars,” Zeke said on The Mark Jackson Show.

For context, Flex-N-Gate is no small player—it’s a tier-one supplier to the automotive industry and is owned by Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan. Under Detroit Pistons legend’s leadership, One World Products recently showcased fully validated hemp-based molded containers for Flex-N-Gate’s initial order of 1,400 units. The presentation, held in Detroit, marked a significant milestone in sustainable automotive packaging.

But here’s the kicker: while Isiah Thomas is making bold moves, he’s entering a space where Michael Jordan reportedly set foot back in the 90s. The former rivals are now squaring off in one of the world’s most lucrative markets.

Michael Jordan found early success in the automotive industry with his car dealership

It really is ridiculous how much money Michael Jordan has earned over his lifetime. During his playing career itself, he amassed a total of $90 million in salary. But what truly sets him apart is how he turned those millions into a jaw-dropping $3.5 billion net worth by 2024. Thanks to some incredibly smart investments.

And it turns out, a part of this investment included a Nissan car dealership in Durham, North Carolina. Yes, Michael Jordan Nissan is an actual thing! Jordan and his business partners have reportedly been running this dealership since the 90s.

As you’d expect, they sell shiny, brand-new Nissan models. But that’s not all. The dealership also caters to those hunting for great deals on used cars from other brands. And it gets better. They’ve even introduced a nifty online shopping feature called the FastBreak Store.

Imagine shopping for a car entirely online, knowing the price upfront, and having it delivered to your doorstep. As long as you’re within 100 miles. No wonder that Michael Jordan Nissan reportedly pulled in $16 million in sales in 2021 alone.

Now, although Isiah Thomas’ initial approach to the automotive industry is quite different to that of MJ, it’s to be seen if Zeke later heads further in the same direction as His Airness.