The announcement, made on Wednesday, marks a historic milestone as Tems becomes the first African female artiste to hold an ownership stake in a Major League Soccer (MLS) team
By Emmanuel ‘Waziri’ Okoro
Nigerian R&B and Alternative music superstar, Tems, has joined San Diego Football Club’s ownership group as a club partner through her company, The Leading Vibe. The announcement, made on Wednesday, marks a historic milestone as Tems becomes the first African female to hold an ownership stake in a Major League Soccer (MLS) team.
Expressing her excitement, the two-time Grammy Award-winner said, “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. 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”.
This development follows the club’s earlier announcement that American actress, writer, and producer, Issa Rae, had also joined as a club partner. Other partners include World Cup-winning footballer, Juan Mata, retired U.S. Navy SEAL, Jocko Willink, and founding partner and San Diego Padres’ perennial MLB All-Star, Manny Machado.
Tems joins the ownership group in collaboration with Pave Investments, an African private investment firm previously involved in leading a group of strategic investors to support NBA Africa in 2021. Tunde Folawiyo, chairman of Pave Investments, and Kwamena Afful, founding director of the firm, are also part of the San Diego FC ownership team.
According to the club, Tems’ involvement aligns with its mission to unite communities through football while amplifying the work of Right to Dream Academy, a global youth football system. Tems’ global influence and commitment to empowerment and cultural connection are seen as assets that will help advance the club’s vision both on and off the pitch.
San Diego FC CEO, Tom Penn, highlighted the significance of Tems’ addition to the ownership group, saying, “Tems is an extraordinary artist and cultural force worldwide. We are honored to have her join our Club and bring her visionary perspective to San Diego FC. Her passion for empowering the next generation aligns perfectly with our mission, and her commitment to creating opportunities for young talent domestically and globally reflects the core values of Right to Dream. We also look forward to creating meaningful connections between the music world and San Diego FC, uniting communities through the shared power of culture and sport”.