Nicklas Bendtner Ventures into Esports with Acquisition of Team Singularity
Nicklas Bendtner, widely known for his stints with English Premier League's Arsenal and Germany's Wolfsburg, has taken an enormous leap into the esports arena. The former professional soccer player has successfully acquired 100% of Danish esports organization Team Singularity, marking a vibrant new chapter in his post-football career.
Bendtner, who announced his retirement from professional football three years ago, has since immersed himself in the world of esports. His initial foray involved setting up an esports-focused investment and management company known as Legendary Gaming Group. The group boasts investments in New Breed Agency, Legendary Arena, and an as-yet-unnamed esports and gaming brand.
The Legendary Gaming Group is positioning itself as a revolutionary entity in the esports world, promising cutting-edge gaming experiences, elite talent development, and thrilling events. Bendtner’s unwavering enthusiasm for this new venture is evident. “I am really pleased with the team we have assembled at Legendary and look forward to being part of something bigger in an industry I am fascinated by,” he said, reflecting his commitment to making a significant impact in esports.
Strategic Collaborations and Expert Leadership
Bendtner’s venture is supported by a team of seasoned professionals in the esports domain. Joining him at the Legendary Gaming Group are notable figures including Team Singularity founder Atle Stehouwer, Tricked Esport founder Morten Jensen, Stephen Shine, and Jonas Rosbech. Collectively, this group aims to channel their combined expertise to elevate the status of their esports projects.
For Atle Stehouwer, bringing Team Singularity under the wing of Legendary Gaming Group is a fulfillment of a long-term vision. “For the past two years, after being passive in Team Singularity’s operations, I’ve been in talks with numerous potential partners about various opportunities in the market and potentially starting something new. I’m thrilled and honoured to have found a proper home for Team Singularity under the Legendary Gaming Group wings and to have been able to bring a strong ownership group together to form the foundation of Legendary Gaming Group,” he stated.
Nicknamed "Lord Bendtner" following a playful 2015 gesture by Danish celebrity tabloid 'Se og Hør' which bought him a square foot of land in Scotland to bestow the title, he has navigated a remarkable transition from the football pitch to the esports stage. His fascination with gaming isn’t newfound; during the COVID pandemic, Bendtner took up playing CSGO and even owned a small CSGO team, Prosapia Esport. His enthusiasm for competitive gaming peaked when he played in a showmatch at the Blast Premier Fall Finals at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen in November 2022, representing Team Denmark.
Esports Milestones and Upcoming Announcements
Team Singularity has a storied history in the competitive esports landscape. It has been a fixture in the UK/Nordics League of Legends NLC, having been involved since the early days of UK LoL, as early as 2017, and taking part in the old ESL UK Premiership. The acquisition by Bendtner comes shortly after the closure of Tricked Esport, underscoring the strategic realignment within the esports sector.
Singularity has already created a buzz by teasing an announcement set for August 1st, 2024. Although details have been kept under wraps, the anticipation is palpable within the esports community. This forthcoming announcement follows Stehouwer's public statement about finding a secure and visionary home for Team Singularity under Legendary Gaming Group’s dynamic framework.
Revolutionizing Esports
The narrative of Nicklas Bendtner's involvement in esports extends beyond mere investment. His active role in Legendary Gaming Group signifies a deeper commitment to the industry. “My own role in the company will be an active one, but what the exact title will be is not 100% decided yet, as it also depends on what roles the other sports profiles coming in will have,” Bendtner shared, indicating ongoing strategic discussions.
Both the professional football world and the esports industry are closely watching Bendtner’s transition. His journey from scoring the fastest goal by a substitute in Premier League history to pioneering new frontiers in esports is nothing short of extraordinary. As esports continues to grow as a global entertainment phenomenon, figures like Bendtner are set to leave a lasting legacy, blending traditional sportsmanship with the digital revolution.