Nigerian singer and producer, Tems, has become a club partner and joined the ownership group of the American professional soccer club, San Diego FC (SDFC). Through her company, The Leading Vibe, the two-time Grammy Award winner and Oscar nominee will contribute her creative vision and dedication to community empowerment to the soccer world.
From Lagos to San Diego…
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) February 12, 2025
GRAMMY Award-Winning, Oscar Nominated Nigerian singer-songwriter @temsbaby joins San Diego FC ownership group as a club partner.
Tems becomes the FIRST African female to be involved in MLS ownership.
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“I am thrilled to join San Diego FC’s ownership group and to be part of a club that celebrates creativity, culture, and the power of community,” Tems said. “Football has a unique way of bringing people together, and I am excited to help build something special in San Diego, a city that thrives on diversity and innovation.”
Tems joins other notable figures as club partners, including actress Issa Rae, footballer Juan Mata, retired US Navy SEAL Jocko Willink, and San Diego Padres’ All-Star Manny Machado.
Her involvement with SDFC is in partnership with Pave Investments, an African private investment firm that previously led an investment group in NBA Africa in 2021. As part of this collaboration, Tunde Folawiyo, chairman of Pave Investments, and Kwamena Afful, founding director of Pave Investments, will also join the club’s ownership group.
Im so stoked to announce 🚨 that I have officially joined @sandiegofc ownership group as a Club Partner! ⚽
— TEMS (@temsbaby) February 12, 2025
Proud to support SDFC’s @right2dream initiative, empowering young talent on and off the field. Can’t wait for what’s ahead @mls! #SanDiegoFC pic.twitter.com/wh6p7DujrD
SDFC CEO Tom Penn expressed his excitement about Tems joining the team, calling her an “extraordinary artist and a cultural force worldwide.” He emphasized the alignment of her passion for empowering the next generation with the club’s mission and her commitment to creating opportunities for young talent, both domestically and globally, which reflects the core values of Right to Dream Academy. Penn looks forward to the connections between the music world and San Diego FC, uniting communities through culture and sport.
San Diego FC’s MLS debut is scheduled for Sunday, February 23, 2025, against LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park. Their first home game will be on March 1, 2025, at Snapdragon Stadium against St. Louis CITY SC.
This investment follows a growing trend of high-profile figures investing in sports teams, similar to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s purchase of Wrexham AFC, LeBron James’ stake in Liverpool FC, and Serena Williams’ involvement with Angel City FC.
Tems has achieved significant success with her music, winning a Grammy for Best African Music Performance with ‘Love Me JeJe’ from her debut album Born In The Wild and another Grammy for her contribution to Future’s hit ‘Wait for U’. She also received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for ‘Lift Me Up’, the lead single from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.
Click here(link is external) for more information about San Diego FC’s ownership group.
