San Diego, CA – Nigerian music sensation Tems has become the latest Club Partner of San Diego FC (SDFC), marking a groundbreaking collaboration between music, culture, and sports. The two-time GRAMMY winner and Oscar-nominated artist joins the SDFC ownership group through her company, The Leading Vibe, in partnership with African private investment firm Pave Investments.

Tems, widely celebrated for her soulful and authentic sound, brings a unique creative perspective to the Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion team, aligning with the club’s mission to inspire and empower communities through football.

SDFC Chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour expressed excitement over Tems’ involvement, highlighting the club’s deep ties to sub-Saharan Africa through the Right to Dream Academy.

“Tems is a globally significant artist who will help us reach new audiences and spread the word about our unique project,” said Mansour.

Echoing this sentiment, SDFC CEO Tom Penn emphasized the alignment between Tems’ values and the club’s mission:

“Her passion for empowering the next generation aligns perfectly with our goals. 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.”

Tems’ meteoric rise in the music industry has positioned her as a cultural icon. She won a GRAMMY for Best African Music Performance for “Love Me JeJe” from her debut album Born In The Wild and contributed to Future’s triple platinum hit “Wait for U.” She also earned Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for co-writing “Lift Me Up”, the lead single from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Now, she’s channeling her influence beyond music, recognizing the transformative power of football.

“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,” said Tems.

Tems joins a distinguished group of San Diego FC Club Partners, including actress Issa Rae, World Cup winner Juan Mata, retired U.S. Navy SEAL Jocko Willink, and MLB All-Star Manny Machado.

Her investment, facilitated through Pave Investments, underscores a growing African presence in global sports. Pave Investments, led by Tunde Folawiyo and Kwamena Afful, previously played a role in investing in NBA Africa in 2021.

Their involvement with San Diego FC and Right to Dream Academy aims to expand opportunities for young African footballers and foster cultural and economic exchanges between Africa and the MLS.

With Tems’ entry into club ownership, San Diego FC strengthens its commitment to inclusivity, creativity, and global reach. This partnership is set to create a powerful bridge between Africa’s booming creative industry and the growing influence of football in North America.

As the club prepares for its MLS debut, Tems’ involvement is poised to make waves both on and off the pitch, reinforcing the idea that football and music are universal forces for connection and empowerment.