“Really! My earliest experience with champagne was having it poured over my head. It wasn’t until after I retired from playing ball that I discovered I love drinking it,” Isiah Thomas had said. Out of that love, Isiah and his wife Lynn started searching for healthier, great-tasting champagne without the added sugar and something that would not give them “a headache the next day.” 

Meanwhile, In France, Thomas Cheurlin dreamed of taking his family’s champagne to the U.S., where he would introduce American consumers to “grower champagnes,” environmentally friendly champagne production, and the superior taste harvested from Cheurlin grapes. The Thomas connection played well and the two partnered to introduce the Cheurlin champagne in the US in 2016.

Since then, the brand has become “the fastest growing champagne in the United States,” according to Thomas. It has secured a partnership with Total Wine & More, the country’s largest independent retailer of fine wine. Not only that, Cheurlin also has become the Official Champagne of the Phoenix Suns and the Official Champagne of the NBA Players Association.

“So what Cheurlin Champagne has done is come in and say, ‘Okay, this is our champagne, this is the player’s champagne.’ And it’s the player’s champagne because it’s zero sugar and it’s the first press of the grapes, so you get in the best of the best. We think that America and the players should have the best of the best, and no one else in the market right now can say that they’re bringing the first press of the grape champagne into the United States. We’re the only one that’s doing it,” Thomas had explained. After this remarkable success, the 2x NBA champion has shifted gears—quite literally—into the automotive industry, a market valued at a jaw-dropping $3.5 billion in 2023, according to Yahoo Finance.

Thomas has recently been spearheading innovative efforts to bring industrial hemp into the automotive sector through One World Products, as its CEO, and Executive Chairman. During a recent appearance on The Mark Jackson Show, Thomas shared exciting updates on that. “I just moved into the automotive space with 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 [Shahid Khan]. So I am in good company” Zeke said on The Mark Jackson Show.

In Detroit, One World Products recently showcased fully validated hemp-based molded containers, developed for an initial order of 1,400 units from Flex-N-Gate, a tier 1 supplier to the automotive industry. The containers represent “a significant milestone in OWP’s efforts to deliver renewable material solutions for automotive part packaging applications,” according to the company. Their effort will have an important environmental impact.

The production-ready reusable containers are developed in partnership with Flex-N-Gate, ORBIS Corporation, and West Michigan Compounding (WMC). The automotive industry has used reusable containers and pallets to move and protect parts in the supply chain. The hemp-based renewable materials developed in collaboration with Flex-N-Gate, ORBIS and WMC seek to replace conventional plastics with sustainable alternatives. It will also lower their carbon footprint and enhance environmental efforts throughout the automotive supply chain.

“The initial order from Flex-N-Gate highlights the trust our partners place in our solutions and sets the stage for future opportunities. Our work with Flex-N-Gate, ORBIS, and West Michigan Compounding demonstrates our collective capability to drive innovation in renewable materials for automotive applications,” Thomas said.

His company has been working on hemp car parts for years. As per an earlier agreement with Stellantis STLA, one of the largest automakers worldwide and owner of Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Peugeot, and other portfolio brands, One World Products agreed to develop and supply hemp-based bioplastic components for vehicle interiors and exteriors.

“I envision a future where the Fords, the GMs, the Stellantis’ of the world take plastics out of their automobiles and infuse them with industrial hemp to replace those plastics, thus reducing their carbon footprint,” Thomas said in 2022. 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 from that of MJ, it’s to be seen if Zeke later heads further in the same direction as His Airness.