Nicklas Bendtner Acquires Danish Esports Organisation Team Singularity
In a remarkable move from soccer pitch to digital arena, former professional soccer player Nicklas Bendtner has acquired 100% ownership of the Danish esports organisation Team Singularity. Bendtner, a name well-known in football circles for his stints with English Premier League club Arsenal and Germany's Wolfsburg, has taken a significant step into the burgeoning esports industry.
Having retired from professional football three years ago, Bendtner has remained in the spotlight, now pivoting towards esports and gaming. His new venture, Legendary Gaming Group, is an esports-focused investment and management company that aims to revolutionise the sector. According to Bendtner, “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.”
Legendary Gaming Group's Vision
Legendary Gaming Group, under Bendtner’s stewardship, has already begun making waves. The company has invested in several ventures, including New Breed Agency, Legendary Arena, and an unnamed esports and gaming brand. The group's objectives are ambitious, with a stated mission of ‘revolutionising esports with cutting-edge gaming experiences, elite talent development, and thrilling events’.
Joining Bendtner at Legendary Gaming Group is a solid roster of industry veterans, including Team Singularity founder Atle Stehouwer, Tricked Esport founder Morten Jensen, Stephen Shine, and Jonas Rosbech. These individuals bring a wealth of experience and a shared passion for the industry, setting a strong foundation for the group's future initiatives.
Team Singularity's Legacy
Team Singularity, a well-established name in the UK/Nordics League of Legends NLC, has roots going back to the early days of UK League of Legends in 2017. The team was also part of the old ESL UK Premiership, making it a significant player in the regional esports scene. Despite Tricked Esport closing down last year, Team Singularity has continued to maintain its presence and competitive spirit.
The acquisition comes on the heels of Team Singularity founder Atle Stehouwer's efforts to find a new home for the team. Stehouwer expressed his enthusiasm for the new partnership, stating, “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.”
Bendtner's Esports Journey
Bendtner’s interest in esports is not newfound. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he began playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) and even owned a small CSGO team named Prosapia Esport. His involvement in the esports scene culminated in a notable appearance during a showmatch at the Blast Premier Fall Finals held at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, where he played for Team Denmark in November 2022.
Looking Ahead
Exciting developments are on the horizon for Team Singularity and Legendary Gaming Group, with a big reveal teased for August 1st, 2024. This announcement follows closely on the back of Stehouwer's statement about ensuring the team finds a robust and supportive environment under Legendary Gaming Group.
Bendtner, whose diverse background also includes a record-setting fastest goal by a substitute in Premier League history, teaming up with seasoned industry experts, marks an intriguing and promising chapter in esports. His new venture reflects a broader trend where traditional sports figures are increasingly investing in esports, recognising its potential and burgeoning popularity.
As the esports landscape continues to evolve, Bendtner and his team at Legendary Gaming Group appear well-positioned to influence and shape the industry's future, promising exciting times ahead for fans and players alike.
Arsene Wenger, another former football icon, has also recently joined the esports world, announced as an ambassador for a new $100,000 FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager esports tournament. These developments signify a growing crossover between traditional sports and esports, heralding a new era of competitive entertainment.
Bendtner's involvement adds a notable blend of experience and fresh energy to the esports sphere. While his exact role within Legendary Gaming Group is yet to be fully defined, his commitment to playing an active part in the company's operations is evident. “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,” he remarked.
The esports community and Bendtner's fans will undoubtedly be watching closely as this new chapter unfolds, eager to see how this blend of veteran expertise and innovative vision will drive the future of esports.