Table of Contents
- Tems San Diego ownership has made history in the international entertainment and sporting scene
- Tems became the first African woman to own a major sporting club in the US
- She is a football lover
Nigerian pop star Tems San Diego ownership has made history in the international entertainment and sporting scene.
Tems became the first African woman to own a major sporting club in the US as a partner or a full owner. Her investment in owning San Diego FC is a bold move for a woman who has made a fortune from music.
Tems San Diego Ownership
The ‘Me&U’ singer broke the news on her Instagram page, expressing her deep love for football. She credits her love of football to her brother. She would watch him play for hours when they were young, and the game itself intrigued her.
Further, she revealed how her love for football goes back a long way: “I have always loved football. Growing up, I watched my brother play with his friends, and I was always intrigued.”
She said San Diego stole her heart with its creativity, community and inclusive culture.
Nigerian Afrobeats and R&B singer Tems. Photo/ESPN
Tems San Diego description is ‘more than a movement.’
“I am so stoked to announce I have officially joined the @sandiegofc ownership group as a Club Partner. I get to be a part of a family that encompasses everything I believe in with the SDFCs @right2dream initiative, which is all about giving young talents the opportunity to shine both on and off the field,” her Instagram post read.
“This is more than a club—it’s a movement. Can’t wait for what’s ahead.”
San Diego Welcomes Tems to MLS
Sir Mohamed Mansour, Chairman San Diego FC welcomed the Nigerian Afrobeats star to the club. He said that having her as a partner would increase San Diego’s visibility by reaching a new audience in sub-Saharan Africa.
The club runs Right to Dream organization based in West Africa. Right to Dream identifies and nurtures young footballers. It builds their character in sports and in education with the goal to promote football excellence in sub-Saharan Africa.
Tom Vernon founded it in 1999. It has attracted the support of other global initiatives, MLS being a key supporter of the organization.
Mansour noted that with Tems San Diego partnership, the project will get more visibility because she commands a huge following in West Africa.
Who is Tems?
Born Temilade Openiyi, the 30-year-old Nigerian loved performing arts. She started writing songs as a young girl in the suburbs of Lagos. Her neighbourhood inspired her songwriting.
She was bright at school, too. Her mother, who separated from her father when she was barely five years old, was strict with her grades.
Nigerian artist Tems performing at a past event. Photo/OkayAfrica
She pushed her to pursue an Economics degree from Monash South Africa University and even secured a corporate job after graduation.
However, she decided to quit the corporate world and focus on her music career. This marked the journey to the historical Tems San Diego purchase.
She debuted as a singer when she released her first single “Mr. Rebel” in 2018. Her collaboration with Wizkid on Essence in 2020 gave her a musical breakthrough five years later.
Tems has two Grammy Awards. Her first Grammy came in 2023 through a feature by an American rapper in his song “Wait for U” featuring Drake. The song won a Grammy under the Melodic Rap Performance.
The Nigerian singer won a second Grammy Award in 2025 courtesy of “Love Me Jeje” under the Best African Music Performance category.
