Nigerian music superstar, Temilade Openiyi, known as Tems has joined the ownership group of Major League Soccer club, San Diego FC as a partner.
Tems is signing up to the Sandiego FC group through her company The Leading Vibe.
Ownership Structure of San Diego FC
The Love Me Jeje crooner joins a distinguished group of Club Partners including actress Issa Rae, footballer Juan Mata, retired U.S. Navy SEAL Jocko Willink, and founding partner and San Diego Padres’ perennial MLB All-Star Manny Machado.
The GRAMMY-winning, Oscar-nominated artist Tems makes history as the FIRST African female involved in MLS ownership.
Speaking about the deal, Tems is excited to join the ownership group and empower young talents.
“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,”
Im so stoked to announce 🚨 that I have officially joined @sandiegofc ownership group as a Club Partner! ⚽
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
— TEMS (@temsbaby) February 12, 2025
Opening Pathways For Africans
Furthermore, Tem’s manager, Muyiwa Awonyi shared insights into how the move will connect with Africa and Nigeria.
“Through @right2dream, we’re expanding into Africa with football academies, creating pathways for young athletes to join @MLS! This is for Africa! can’t wait to see future Nigerians at @sandiegofc . “
Meanwhile, SDFC Chairman, Sir Mohamed Mansour believes Tems joining the ownership group will expand the fan base.
“We are delighted that Tems has joined San Diego FC as a Club Partner. Tems is a globally significant artist who will help us to reach new audiences and spread the word about our unique project, which of course has its foundations in sub-Saharan Africa through the unique Right to Dream organization.”
Furthermore, she becomes the second Nigerian woman to own or be a part owner of a club after Neneka Ede, owner of Lusitano Ginasio Clube, a Portuguese third-division side.
Also, Tunde Folawiyo, Chairman of Pave Investments, and Kwamena Afful, Founding Director of Pave Investments, will join the San Diego FC ownership group.
Recently, Temilade won a GRAMMY Award for Best African Music Performance for “Love Me JeJe” from her acclaimed debut album Born In The Wild, as well as a GRAMMY award for her work on Future’s chart-topping, triple platinum single “Wait for U,” and Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for her work on “Lift Me Up,” the lead single off the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.
