Nicklas Bendtner Acquires Team Singularity, Embarks on New Esports Journey
In a significant move that merges traditional sports with the burgeoning world of esports, former professional soccer player Nicklas Bendtner has acquired 100% ownership of Danish esports organization Team Singularity. Known for his time with English Premier League club Arsenal and German outfit Wolfsburg, Bendtner has turned his attention to a new arena, reaffirming his commitment to shaping the future of digital competition.
Bendtner, who announced his retirement from professional football three years ago, has not strayed far from the competitive field. During the COVID pandemic, he discovered a passion for playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO), and even owned a small CSGO team named Prosapia Esport. His love for gaming culminated in a notable participation at the Blast Premier Fall Finals in November 2022, where he played for Team Denmark in a showmatch at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen.
Under the umbrella of his newly established esports-focused investment and management company, Legendary Gaming Group, Bendtner aims to bring fresh innovation to the esports industry. The company has already made strides by investing in entities such as New Breed Agency, Legendary Arena, and an as-yet unnamed esports and gaming brand. Legendary Gaming Group maintains that it is on a mission to revolutionize esports through cutting-edge gaming experiences, elite talent development, and thrilling events.
In an official statement, Bendtner expressed his enthusiasm for his new venture: "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."
Joining Bendtner at Legendary Gaming Group are several key figures in the esports realm, including Team Singularity founder Atle Stehouwer, Tricked Esport founder Morten Jensen, Stephen Shine, and Jonas Rosbech. This team brings together a wealth of experience and expertise, generating buzz around the potential impact Legendary Gaming Group could have on the esports landscape.
Stehouwer, who has been instrumental in the development of Team Singularity since its early days in UK League of Legends competitions, voiced his excitement 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," he said.
Founded in 2017, Team Singularity has a storied history in the UK League of Legends scene, participating in the old ESL UK Premiership and competing in the UK/Nordics League of Legends NLC. The rumored closure of Tricked Esport, another stalwart in the region, last year adds to the stakes as Team Singularity now embarks on its next chapter under Bendtner's leadership.
With an announcement teased for August 1, 2024, the esports community eagerly awaits what Team Singularity will unveil next. Bendtner's burgeoning involvement and clear passion for the gaming industry suggest a dynamic future ahead. His path from scoring goals on the soccer pitch—where he famously set the record for the fastest goal by a substitute in Premier League history—to strategizing wins in esports showcases a remarkable transition.
Bendtner's transformation from a soccer icon to an esports entrepreneur highlights a broader trend of athletes leveraging their competitive spirit in new and evolving domains. Alongside the recognition conferred by the Danish celebrity tabloid 'Se og Hør,' which humorously awarded him the title of "Lord" in 2015, Bendtner's journey into esports is shaping up to be more than just a fleeting interest.
As Arsene Wenger steps into the role of ambassador for a new $100,000 FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager esports tournament, it becomes clear that the boundaries between physical and digital sports are increasingly intertwined. Legends of traditional sports like Bendtner are strategically positioning themselves at the forefront of this crossover, injecting fresh energy and perspective into the esports realm.
Looking ahead, Bendtner's active participation in Legendary Gaming Group, though his exact title remains undecided, signals his dedication to the company's mission and future endeavors. "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.