US: Tems joins San Diego FC ownership group as club partner

12 Feb 2025 - 17:59

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

Nigerian singer and producer, Tems, has joined American professional soccer club, San Diego FC’s (SDFC) ownership group as a club partner.

Tems.

Through her company, The Leading Vibe, the two-time Grammy Award winner and Oscar nominee brings her creative vision and commitment to community empowerment to the world of soccer.

“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 a roster of club partners, including actress Issa Rae, footballer Juan Mata, retired US Navy SEAL Jocko Willink, and San Diego Padres’ perennial MLB All-Star Manny Machado.

Her involvement with SDFC is in partnership with Pave Investments, a 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.

SDFC CEO Tom Penn said: “Tems is an extraordinary artist and a cultural force worldwide. We are honoured 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, both domestically and globally, reflects the core values of Right to Dream Academy. We look forward to creating meaningful connections between the music world and San Diego FC, uniting communities through the shared power of culture and sport.”

Tems has captivated audiences worldwide with her distinctive sound and artistry. She won a Grammy for Best African Music Performance with ‘Love Me JeJe’ from her acclaimed debut album Born In The Wild, as well as another Grammy for her work on Future’s triple-platinum hit ‘Wait for U’. Additionally, she earned Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for ‘Lift Me Up’, the lead single from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.

Click here for more information about San Diego FC’s ownership group.