One of the most accomplished entrepreneurs, Gary Vaynerchuk, also known as “Gary Vee,” was recently on “The Jim Rome Show,” where he revealed his plan to one day buy his hometown NFL team, the New York Jets.
The Jets have been owned by Woody Johnson and the Johnson family since 2000, but when the time comes to sell, Vaynerchuk has already considered what it will take to take ownership.
Gary Vee’s Plan to Buy the New York Jets
In the clip, Rome begins asking Vaynerchuk about his plan with the knowledge that the Washington Commanders were sold recently for a staggering $6 billion.
“You still plan on buying the Jets. That is still the ultimate long-term goal. The question is what’s it going to cost at that point, because we saw the [Washington] Commanders sell for $6 billion—with a ‘b’—two years ago,” Rome said.
“This is why I’m trying to build a $100 billion IP. I think, truth is, at the time that I’m ready, which is a decade or more, and by the time I think the Johnson’s might transact—god willing everyone stays healthy—and it’s the right thing and right for their family… You know, $15 billion is not out of the question,” Vaynerchuk said.
"My great effort is to try to buy the Jets. If somebody else buys them before me because I couldn't get there, I'm going to commend them. I'm going to support the team, and then I'm going to focus on trying to get the Knicks."@garyvee on his mission to purchase the NY Jets. pic.twitter.com/3mYsJhRAGR
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) May 8, 2025
Honestly, that’s a fair estimation on his part. In 2022, the Denver Broncos were sold for $4.65 billion. Just one year later, the Commanders were sold for about $1.4 billion more.
Vaynerchuk is an incredibly accomplished entrepreneur with a net worth of about $200 million. He’s the co-founder of VaynerMedia and has had numerous ventures in media and NFTs. He also invested early in companies like Facebook and Uber.
“So, got a lot of work to go and do, Jimmy, I’m not scared of that, I’m attacking it. And look, my great effort is to try to buy the Jets. If somebody else buys them before me because I couldn’t get there, I’m going to commend them. I’m going to support the team, and then I’m going to focus on trying to get the Knicks,” he said.
Fans Have Long Hoped for Vaynerchuk to Buy the Jets
Back in November 2024, fans were pushing for Vaynerchuk to purchase the team. This was around the time the team fired general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh, and the team was just 3-8.
The Jets haven’t played a postseason game since January 23, 2011, when they lost 24-19 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game.
The fan base is frustrated with Johnson, and that’s reflected in things like the NFLPA team report cards.
The Jets were the only team to receive an ‘F’ in the ownership category.
Also, The Athletic released a scathing piece in December 2024 profiling the Jets, including a report that Johnson’s son, Brick, didn’t want the team to trade for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy due to his Madden rating. Madden ratings were brought up again when evaluating free agent guard John Simpson, with the owner citing his lackluster “awareness” rating.
It’s safe to say fans would love a Vaynerchuk—or anyone else—ownership era.