Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, and Issa Rae are the latest additions to the San Diego ownership group, which owns the expansion team in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Tems is a Nigerian-based singer, songwriter and producer who has won two Grammy Awards and been nominated for an Oscar. Her addition to the team is a groundbreaking pathway for more African athletes to benefit from this opportunity. Tems will also continue to engage directly with the organization Right to Dream, which has a Ghanaian-based Academy. Right to Dream aims to support young athletes in pursuing their dreams and developing as holistic athletes.
Tems shared on her Instagram, “I am so stoked to announce I have officially joined the San Diego ownership group as a club partner. I get to be part of a family that encompasses everything I believe in with the SDFCs, Right to Dream initiative, which is all about giving young talents the opportunity to shine both on and off the field.”
Tems becomes the first African woman to join a club ownership group.
Issa Rae’s Addition to the Club Ownership
Issa Rae, a renowned actress, producer and entrepreneur, was announced as the latest addition to the San Diego FC club’s ownership.
She, too, expressed her commitment to the club’s mission, particularly the Right to Dream initiative, which she believed strongly aligned with her values.
Rae joins the club partners: Juan Mata, Jocko Willink, and Manny Machado.
Trend in Women’s Leadership in Sports
The number of women in sports leadership positions has grown, with club ownership being one area where the number has continued to grow. This is a positive trend toward women’s sports, and if it continues, the number of women leaders in sports fields is guaranteed to increase in the coming years.
Trailblazers like Michele Kang, who owns London City Lionesses and is a partner in the clubs Washington Spirit and Olympique Lyonnais, continue to inspire women to dare tread in positions they formerly never held.
The founding of the Unrivaled League by two professional WNBA players, Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, has also been a landmark for many women who invest in sports clubs and partnerships. The League attracted many high-profile investors, including Dawn Staley, Juju Watkins, Coco Gauff and Michelle Wie West.
In 2024, Angel Reese joined the ownership group for DC Power Soccer, which competes in the USL. This is a new dawn for women in top-level decision-making positions.
San Diego FC
San Diego FC is an expansion club to Major League Soccer, founded in 2023. The club will officially debut in the 2025 season, playing a home game against St. Louis on March 1, 2025.
