Nigerian Singer-Songwriter and Grammy Award Winner Tems becomes a part of MLS San Diego FC ownership Group

Image Courtesy of San Diego FC

The Nigerian global music star enters through her company, The Leading Vibe, reinforcing a growing trend of cross-industry capital flowing into professional football. Her investment is made in partnership with Pave Investments, the African private investment firm that previously participated in the 2021 investment into NBA Africa — a pairing that signals this is as much a strategic business move as it is a cultural one.

As part of the transaction, Tunde Folawiyo, Chairman of Pave Investments, and Kwamena Afful, Founding Director of Pave Investments, will also join the SDFC ownership group, deepening the club's ties to African private capital and institutional networks.

Tems joins a diverse and commercially strategic ownership group that already includes actress and entrepreneur Issa Rae, former Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata, retired Navy SEAL and author Jocko Willink, and San Diego Padres star Manny Machado. The composition of the group reflects a deliberate effort by the club to build ownership around cultural influence, global reach, and cross-sector credibility rather than football pedigree alone.

For MLS expansion clubs, celebrity-backed ownership has evolved well beyond a visibility play. It now represents a deliberate strategy around global positioning, audience development, and cross-market brand leverage.

Tems' entry into SDFC ownership encapsulates that shift — bringing together African investment, cultural capital, and institutional sport in a way that points to where football ownership is heading.

Source: San Diego FC