Nigerian Grammy award-winning singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has become the first Black woman and African female musician to own a stake in a Major League Soccer (MLS) club in the United States. On Wednesday, 12th February 2025,
San Diego F.C.’s chairman, Sir Mohamed Mansour, officially announced that Tems had joined the club’s ownership group. The singer’s investment was made through her company, The Leading Vibe, in collaboration with Pave Investments, an African private investment firm known for its involvement in NBA Africa.
The inclusion of Tems in the San Diego F.C. ownership team marks a significant moment for both African representation in global sports and women’s empowerment in business and entertainment. Sir Mohamed Mansour emphasized the club’s deep-rooted connection to Africa, stating, “Tems is a globally significant artist who will help us 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.”
Tems, who skyrocketed to global fame with hits like “Essence” and “Free Mind” and recently won a Grammy in 2025, expressed her excitement about blending her passion for music with sports. “To be very honest, music and sports, they’re kind of similar in the way that they give opportunities to young talents and the young generations coming up,” she stated. Her commitment to supporting emerging talent aligns seamlessly with San Diego F.C.’s mission of nurturing young athletes through its Right to Dream initiative.
With this move, Tems joins a prestigious lineup of San Diego F.C. stakeholders, including former Manchester United and Chelsea star Juan Mata, Hollywood actress Issa Rae, retired U.S. Navy SEAL Jocko Willink, and MLB All-Star Manny Machado. As the first Black woman to hold an ownership stake in an MLS club, she is paving the way for future generations of African women to enter male-dominated industries and claim their place in global business.
