In a significant move within the esports arena, former professional soccer player Nicklas Bendtner has acquired 100% ownership of Danish esports organization Team Singularity. This marks a new chapter for Bendtner, who famously played for prominent clubs such as Arsenal and Wolfsburg during his soccer career. He hung up his boots three years ago, and is now channeling his competitive drive into the burgeoning world of esports.
New Ventures and Investments
Bendtner has not entered the esports space lightly. He has founded an esports-focused investment and management company, Legendary Gaming Group. This entity has made notable investments, including stakes in New Breed Agency, Legendary Arena, and a yet-to-be-named esports and gaming brand. With ambitious claims of "revolutionising esports with cutting-edge gaming experiences, elite talent development, and thrilling events," Legendary Gaming Group is poised to make a substantial impact on the industry.
Joining Bendtner in this venture are several prominent figures in the esports community, including Team Singularity founder Atle Stehouwer, Tricked Esport founder Morten Jensen, Stephen Shine, and Jonas Rosbech. Tricked Esport, a known name in the UK/Nordics League of Legends (NLC), closed its doors last year. Meanwhile, Team Singularity has been a staple in the UK League of Legends scene since 2017, having competed in the old ESL UK Premiership.
Merging Histories
The recent activities of Team Singularity hint at exciting times ahead. The organization recently teased an announcement set for August 1, 2024, which follows founder Atle Stehouwer’s remarks about finding a fitting home for the team under the Legendary Gaming Group banner. Bendtner echoed this sentiment, stating, “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.”
Stehouwer added, “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 connection to esports began during the COVID-19 pandemic when he started playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO). He even owned a small CSGO team named Prosapia Esport. His immersion in the esports world deepened when he participated in a showmatch at the Blast Premier Fall Finals in November 2022 at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, where he played on Team Denmark.
Adding to Bendtner’s colorful background, his association with Danish royalty through ex-partner Caroline Luel-Brockdorff and his title of “Lord” — bestowed humorously by a Danish celebrity tabloid in 2015 — contribute to his unique persona. Notably, Bendtner holds the Premier League record for the fastest goal scored by a substitute, netting a goal just 1.8 seconds after coming onto the field in a match against Tottenham on December 22, 2007.
Broader Implications
While Bendtner is steering his newfound esports interests, the industry itself continues to evolve. The involvement of high-profile personalities like Arsene Wenger, who was recently named as an ambassador for a $100,000 FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager esports tournament, exemplifies the intertwining of traditional sports and esports.
As Legendary Gaming Group moves forward, Bendtner’s role, albeit active, remains fluid. “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.
Bendtner's transition from the soccer pitch to the digital arena marks a fascinating journey, blending his competitive spirit with a rapidly expanding domain. With his drives set on Legendary Gaming Group and Team Singularity, the esports sphere can anticipate innovative contributions and possibly a new chapter in both Bendtner’s legacy and the esports industry's evolution.