In a significant move that has sent ripples through both the esports and traditional sporting realms, former professional soccer player Nicklas Bendtner has become the sole owner of Danish esports organization Team Singularity. Bendtner, who enjoyed a distinguished football career with stints at English Premier League club Arsenal and Wolfsburg, has fully immersed himself into the burgeoning esport industry following his retirement from football three years ago.
Bendtner’s new venture, the Legendary Gaming Group, marks his official foray into esports investment and management. The group has already made strategic investments in New Breed Agency, Legendary Arena, and an unnamed esports and gaming brand, signaling its ambitious plans in the esports ecosystem. "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, underscoring his dedication to his latest enterprise.
Bendtner’s transition from football to esports was catalyzed by his growing interest in gaming, particularly CSGO, which he began playing during the COVID pandemic. His engagement with esports deepened when he owned a small CSGO team, Prosapia Esport, and participated in a showmatch at the Blast Premier Fall Finals in Copenhagen in November 2022, playing for Team Denmark.
Additionally, the pioneering moves by the Legendary Gaming Group aim to revolutionize the esports landscape with innovative gaming experiences, the nurturing of elite talent, and organizing exhilarating events. "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," explained Atle Stehouwer, founder of Team Singularity. "I’m thrilled and honored 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."
Lord Bendtner is joined by a team of seasoned esports veterans, including Team Singularity founder Atle Stehouwer, Tricked Esport founder Morten Jensen, Stephen Shine, and Jonas Rosbech. Notably, Team Singularity and Tricked have previously competed in the UK/Nordics League of Legends NLC, though Tricked Esport closed its doors last year. Team Singularity has been a prominent name in the UK League of Legends scene since 2017, having also been part of the old ESL UK Premiership.
The acquisition comes on the heels of an announcement teased by Team Singularity, set for August 1st, 2024. This follows Stehouwer’s statement about securing a new home for the team under the Legendary Gaming Group, pinpointing Bendtner’s commitment to reshaping the future of esports.
Bendtner’s personal journey and interest in esports add a fascinating layer to his new role. Known once for his high-profile relationship with Caroline Luel-Brockdorff, part of Danish royalty, Bendtner also carries the anecdotal title of “Lord,” granted by Danish celebrity tabloid 'Se og Hør' in 2015 when they bought him a square foot of land in Scotland. He also holds the record for the fastest goal scored by a substitute in Premier League history, netting the ball just 1.8 seconds after kick-off against Tottenham on December 22nd, 2007.
The esports industry continues to attract notable figures from traditional sports, as seen in another recent development where Arsene Wenger was named an ambassador for a new $100,000 FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager esports tournament. As esports bridges the gap with mainstream sports through such high-profile endorsements and investments, the involvement of personalities like Bendtner further underscores the sector's growing relevance and allure.
Looking forward, Bendtner’s role in Legendary Gaming Group is poised to be an active one, although the specifics of his position are yet to be 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," Bendtner remarked. The collaboration with Stehouwer and the rest of the team lays a robust foundation for their shared vision of an esports renaissance.
The esports community will undoubtedly keep a keen eye on how Bendtner and his team’s strategic investments and initiatives unfold, with their efforts potentially setting new standards in the industry.