Nigerian singer, Temilade Openiyi widely known as Tems has become the first African female to join the ownership group of Major League Soccer’s San Diego Football Club, Sportivationng.com reports.
The American club confirmed the inclusion of the two-time Grammy award winner to its executives in a statement on Wednesday.
Tems acquired a stake in the club through The Leading Vibe, her company.
The deal was also brokered through a partnership with Pave Investments, an African private investment firm that worked on driving investors for NBA Africa.
According to San Diego FC, the singer has become a club partner and shares a “commitment to excellence and community engagement”.
Tems, born in Lagos, described football as “a unique way of bringing people together,” adding that she looks forward “to help build something special in San Diego”.
“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,” the singer 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.”
Juan Mata, a former Chelsea player; Issa Rae, an American actress; and Jocko Willink, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL, are other San Diego FC ownership group members.
According to the announcement, Tems’ influence as a global cultural icon aligns with the club’s mission to unite communities through soccer while promoting creativity and empowerment.
San Diego FC was founded in May 2023. The club will play its first season in the MLS 2025 campaign.
Tems is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. She rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid’s 2020 single “Essence”, which peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the release of the remix version with Justin Bieber.
The song earned her a Grammy Award nomination. That same year, she was featured on the song “Fountains” by Canadian rapper Drake.
Tems has received many accolades, including two Grammy Awards, a Billboard Women in Music Award, four NAACP Image Awards, four BET Awards, and three Soul Train Music Awards.
