ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills family got a little bigger when 10 new limited partners were added to the team’s ownership.

On Friday, the community got to know three of them a bit better.

Pro-athletes Jozy Altidore, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady are on the Bills Mafia train.

“At the end of the day, this is freaking cool, man," said McGrady. "That you play 15 years in the NBA and have an opportunity to invest into an NFL franchise.” 

Each played in Toronto for a time: Carter and McGrady in basketball, Altidore in soccer.

“It's a dream come true, because I genuinely got to watch that team grow through good and bad,” said Altidore.

The chance to be a part of the Bills organization was the right team at the right time.

“What Josh [Allen] is doing, what the team is doing, they’re in the hunt to get that number one seed," said Carter. "Great things are happening right now.” 

They’re hoping to bring some of that fandom across the border.

“Do you know how hard it was to change hockey fans to basketball fans,” said McGrady.

“Oh, say it again,” laughed Carter.

“That was a challenge, my brother,” McGrady replied. 

“There's a ton of Buffalo Bill fans that come to Toronto FC games, a ton that go to Raptors games," added Altidore. "I think we're going to have a lot of fun kind of tying it all into one.”

It's a good time that's doing a lot for representation now, and potentially more in the future, too.

"It's cool that we're investing in Buffalo Bills, it's cool investing in an NFL franchise, but this is inspiring to so many people that look like us because of the past history and what's been said in media and all that stuff about diversity, inclusion and sports ownership," said McGrady.

“This is what I'm excited about, [...] helping the team and the organization any way I can, but actually the youth under us, who are aspiring to be owners and leaders of their community,” said Carter. 

"I think seeing Tracy, seeing Vince now, seeing myself, I think, I hope, that inspires other people watching and young kids to say, 'Man, I can do it too,'" Altidore said.

The other minority owners include Arctos (a private investment firm), Rob Palumbo, Sue McCollum, Theresia Gouw, Rob Ward, Mike Joo and Tom Burger.