Nicklas Bendtner Acquires Team Singularity, Launches Legendary Gaming Group
Nicklas Bendtner, a former professional football player known for his tenure with top clubs like Arsenal and Wolfsburg, has made waves in the esports world by acquiring 100% of Danish esports organization Team Singularity. This marks a significant shift in Bendtner's career, who retired from football three years ago and has since embarked on various entrepreneurial ventures.
The acquisition is part of Bendtner's broader vision, encapsulated in his newly established esports-focused investment and management company, Legendary Gaming Group. Bendtner is not treading this path alone; he is joined by notable figures such as Team Singularity founder Atle Stehouwer, Tricked Esport founder Morten Jensen, Stephen Shine, and Jonas Rosbech. Together, they aim to revolutionize the esports landscape with innovations in gaming experiences, elite talent development, and thrilling events.
“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,” Bendtner stated. The former footballer has shown genuine enthusiasm for the realm of esports, an interest that began during the COVID-19 pandemic when he started playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO).
The Formation of a New Powerhouse
Legendary Gaming Group has already made notable investments, including in entities like New Breed Agency and Legendary Arena. A yet-unnamed esports and gaming brand is also part of their expanding portfolio. The collective experience and vision of Legendary Gaming Group’s leadership team position it as a potential powerhouse within the esports sector.
Atle Stehouwer, the founder of Team Singularity, expressed his enthusiasm about the new partnership. “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.”
Team Singularity, established around 2017, has deep roots in the esports community, particularly in the UK League of Legends scene. They have competed in UK/Nordics League of Legends NLC and were part of the old ESL UK Premiership, marking them as a significant player from the early days of UK LoL. The integration into the Legendary Gaming Group promises new opportunities and further growth for the team.
A Legacy of Competitive Spirit
Bendtner's transition from professional football to esports is underpinned by his competitive spirit and his desire to continuously challenge himself. This was evident when he owned a small CSGO team called Prosapia Esport and when he participated in a showmatch at the Blast Premier Fall Finals held at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, where he played for Team Denmark in November 2022.
Moreover, the former footballer’s foray into esports underscores the growing convergence between traditional sports and gaming. It’s a trend embodied by other notable figures as well, such as Arsene Wenger, who was recently announced as an ambassador for a new $100,000 FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager esports tournament.
Bendtner's connection to royalty and his larger-than-life persona—highlighted by the infamous bestowal of the title “Lord” by Danish celebrity tabloid 'Se og Hør'—add a unique flavour to his latest venture. This rich background, coupled with his record-setting performances on the field (including the fastest goal scored by a substitute in Premier League history), contributes to the lore surrounding his transition to esports.
Looking Ahead
Team Singularity has already teased an announcement set for August 1st, 2024, suggesting that significant developments are on the horizon. Whether this will involve new partnerships, game titles, or event formats remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the anticipation is palpable within the community.
As Bendtner settles into his new role within the Legendary Gaming Group, the exact details of his responsibilities are still being finalized. “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 shared.
With Bendtner's leadership and a strong, experienced team backing him, Legendary Gaming Group and Team Singularity are poised to make a lasting impact in the dynamic world of esports. The industry will undoubtedly be watching closely as this new chapter unfolds.