have a vested interest

have a vested interest (in something)

To have a personal stake in something, typically because one could potentially benefit from it. Of course I have a vested interest in how the board reacts to this proposal—if they like it, they might promote me!
See also: have, interest, vested
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

have a vested ˈinterest (in something)

have a personal reason for wanting something to happen, especially because you get some advantage from it: He has a vested interest in Mona leaving the firm (= perhaps because he may get her job).
See also: have, interest, vested
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • have a vested interest (in something)
  • vested
  • make no difference to (one)
  • vested interest
  • have a dog in the fight
  • have a dog in the hunt
  • have a dog in this fight
  • have a dog in this hunt
  • rest with
  • rest with (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
I personally believe that legally they should have had a referendum in which virtually no ordinary voter would have a vested interest.
Politicians' vested interest in EU [...]
If the A's aren't moving south, then he intends on holding the club in a sort of hostage while those that seem to have a vested interest in making a new ballpark in Oakland occur.
How Oakland Business Leaders May Have Killed the A's to San Jose
They have a vested interest (in terms of their annual performance evaluations, career advancement, and earnings potential) in showing their programs as proceeding on or ahead of schedule, within budget, and as meeting or exceeding performance objectives.
Just how independent are internal auditors in DoN? The Naval Audit Service
She reminds administrators that the "media are part of the community and have a vested interest in making the schools successful." Because of this, Kleinz advocates having a dedicated media relations person on staff, even if media relations is not the person's full job description.
Public school pillars: successful strategies for engaging the public and gaining their support. (Leadership Themes)