Tems Joins San Diego FC Ownership Group as Club Partner
Written by djfrosty on February 12, 2025
Tems is joining San Diego Football Club’s ownership group as a club partner through her company The Leading Vibe, the club announced on Wednesday (Feb. 12). She becomes the first African female to be involved in MLS ownership.
“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 in the press release. “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.”
San Diego FC announced earlier this week that Issa Rae also joined as a club partner.
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The Nigerian singer-songwriter-producer (real name Temilade Openiyi) is joining the soccer club in partnership with Pave Investments, an African private investment firm that was involved in leading a group of strategic investors to invest in NBA Africa in 2021. Tunde Folawiyo, chairman of Pave Investments, and Kwamena Afful, founding director of Pave Investments, are also joining the San Diego FC ownership group.
According to the release, Tems’ status as an icon of empowerment and cultural connection aligns with San Diego FC’s vision to unite communities through the global game, and these new additions to the ownership group will bring their individual global platforms, influence and personal commitment to amplify the mission of Right to Dream Academy — a youth association football academy system — and San Diego FC: to inspire and empower communities meaningfully on and off the pitch.
“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,” SDFC CEO Tom Penn added. “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.”