San Diego FC (SDFC) has made a groundbreaking addition to its ownership group, welcoming two-time GRAMMY Award-winning and Oscar-nominated artist Tems through her company, The Leading Vibe. The Lagos-born singer, songwriter, and producer, known for her soulful voice and impressive artistry, is bringing her creative energy and deep commitment to community to the world of soccer. Her involvement signals a growing intersection between music, culture, and sport — one that SDFC is embracing as it builds toward its Major League Soccer debut in 2025.

 

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“Tems is an extraordinary artist and cultural force worldwide,”said SDFC CEO Tom Penn. “We are honored to have her join our Club and bring her visionary perspective to San Diego FC. Her passion for empowering the next generation aligns perfectly with our mission, and her commitment to creating opportunities for young talent domestically and globally reflects the core values of Right to Dream. 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.”

San Diego FC, an MLS expansion team set to play at Snapdragon Stadium, is shaping up to be as unique as the city it represents. The club is co-owned by entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Mohamed Mansour and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, marking the first time a Native American tribe has held a significant ownership stake in a professional men’s sports team. With San Diego Padres’ star Manny Machado also backing the project, SDFC is more than a football club — it’s a movement. A key part of that movement is its affiliation with Right to Dream, a global network of youth academies and professional football clubs dedicated to identifying and nurturing talent.

Right to Dream, founded in Ghana in 1999 by social entrepreneur Tom Vernon, has long believed in football as a vehicle for social change. The organization has expanded from West Africa to Denmark, Egypt, and now the United States, creating pathways for young players to pursue both professional football and education. In 2023, Right to Dream secured the 30th MLS franchise in San Diego in partnership with the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, further solidifying its commitment to building a football ecosystem that values character and opportunity as much as skill. By 2025, Right to Dream will have four academies worldwide, each fostering the next generation of footballers, both on and off the pitch.

“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,” said SDFC Club Partner Tems. “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.”

Tems’ presence in the ownership group puts her alongside an impressive roster of Club Partners, including actress and producer Issa Rae, World Cup-winning footballer Juan Mata, retired U.S. Navy SEAL Jocko Willink, and Machado. Beyond her music, which has earned her a GRAMMY for Best African Music Performance with “Love Me JeJe” and another for her contribution to Future’s “Wait for U,” Tems has become a symbol of empowerment and artistic independence. Her Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for co-writing “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever only cemented her reputation as a global creative force.

This new role with SDFC extends her influence into sports, a space that, like music, has the power to unite people across borders. It also comes with a partnership with Pave Investments, an African private investment firm that previously led a group investment in NBA Africa in 2021. As part of this collaboration, Pave Investments Chairman Tunde Folawiyo and Founding Director Kwamena Afful will also join the club’s ownership group, strengthening San Diego FC’s global ties.

With a diverse and forward-thinking ownership group, San Diego FC is a club that’s redefining what sports ownership looks like. By bringing in visionaries from different industries, SDFC is making a statement: football is more than just a game. It’s culture. It’s community. It’s a platform for change. And with Tems now in the mix, that message just got even louder.