Nigerian singer, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has joined the ownership group of San Diego FC in the Major League Soccer (MLS) in the US. This makes her the first African female to be involved in MLS ownership.
The American club announced 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 her company, The Leading Vibe, through a partnership with Pave Investments, an African private investment firm that works 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 described football as a unique way of bringing people together, and she looks forward to help build something special in San Diego.
She 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.”
Other San Diego FC ownership group members are Juan Mata, a former Chelsea player; Issa Rae, an American actress; and Jocko Willink, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL.
Founded in May 2023, the club will play its first season in the MLS 2025 campaign.
