Football

Tems Makes History as Africa’s First Female MLS Club Owner, Expands Influence into Football

todayFebruary 14, 2025 16

Background
share close

Nigerian music sensation Tems has broken barriers by becoming the first African female owner of a Major League Soccer (MLS) team. Through a partnership with San Diego FC, she has joined the club’s ownership group, marking a significant step in the intersection of sports and entertainment.

The announcement was made just weeks before San Diego FC’s highly anticipated MLS debut against LA Galaxy. The club’s first home game is set for March 1, 2025, at Snapdragon Stadium. Tems in a press release expressed her excitement, highlighting the role of football in uniting communities and her dedication to empowering the next generation.

According to the announcement, San Diego FC sees Tems as a cultural icon whose influence aligns with the club’s mission to unite communities through football. Her involvement, along with other new investors, will help advance the goals of Right to Dream Academy—a youth football development initiative—while also supporting San Diego FC’s broader commitment to empowering communities both on and off the field.

San Diego FC CEO Tom Penn praised Tems’ addition to the club, noting that “Her passion for empowering the next generation aligns perfectly with the club’s mission, and her commitment to creating opportunities for young talent domestically and globally reflects the core values of Right to Dream.”

Tems is partnering with Pave Investments, an African private investment firm that previously played a key role in leading a group of strategic investors into NBA Africa in 2021. As part of this partnership, Tunde Folawiyo, Pave Investments’ chairman, and Kwamena Afful, the firm’s founding director, will also be joining San Diego FC’s ownership structure.

Written by: Adedoyin Adedara

Rate it

Post comments (0)

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *