The year 2024 has been nothing short of a victory lap for Vince Carter. From his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in October to seeing his No. 15 jersey retired by the Toronto Raptors in November, the celebrations seem endless. But here’s where it gets even better—VC recently broke into the NFL world, joining the ownership group of the Buffalo Bills. Yet, in the middle of sharing this milestone, he dropped a surprising detail about a meeting with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver that rekindled a long-standing NBA dream.

Vince Carter revealed that his first aspiration wasn’t to own an NFL team—but rather NBA ownership.

“It was always something I was interested in,” he shared with Front Office Sports. “I’ve had a couple of meetings with [NBA commissioner] Adam Silver expressing my interest prior to retiring and post-retirement. We had a nice sit-down a couple of times prior to COVID hitting.“

According to Carter, he wasn’t eyeing a specific team back then but simply wanted to be in the conversation. But fate had other plans.

“And then T-Mac called about the NFL,” Carter recalled. “I was like, well, that’s different… But I was like, all right, let’s do it.” From casual chats at the NFL owners meeting to connecting with Terry Pegula, everything clicked into place. “Mr. Pegula asked for my information and reached out, and it went from this to that.”

So, how much does VC own in the Buffalo Bills? Alongside McGrady and soccer star Jozy Altidore, the trio holds a 3% stake in the franchise, with Pegula still controlling the lion’s share at 80%. But don’t let that fool you; the process was no quick fix. From the first conversation with McGrady to official approval, the journey to ownership took over a year.

Now, with his NFL chapter officially underway, the question remains: Why does Vince Carter still want to own an NBA team?

Why VC want to join the NBA ownership

Speaking on Tip “T.I.” Harris’ expediTIously podcast, VC shared his aspirations beyond playing in 2020. “I want to do some broadcasting. I want to stay around the game, I want to continue to be a mentor in some capacity,” he said.

But one dream stood out: owning an NBA team. “I have aspirations of being a part of an ownership group. I don’t make that kind of money to own a team outright like Michael Jordan…” Carter admitted.

However, Carter’s focus wasn’t just on joining the elite ranks of ownership. He wanted to make a difference. “At some point, I want to be a part of an ownership group where I can still be that mentor that they need,” Carter explained. His goal was to bridge the gap between executives and players—two worlds that often feel disconnected.

And who better to connect those dots than VC? With 22 seasons in the NBA, Carter saw firsthand what players endure. Whether it’s back-to-back games or riding out tough losing streaks, his experience brings perspective. “I can help the other guys being on the other side as well,” Carter noted, emphasizing how vital player insight can be in the boardroom.

“I still want to help mold young players like a Trae Young or a John Collins,” Carter added. While his focus is currently on his new NFL adventure, his passion for basketball ownership hasn’t waned. Will we one day see VC leading an NBA franchise? Share your opinion with us.