Nicklas Bendtner Acquires Team Singularity: A New Chapter in Esports
In a significant move within the esports world, former professional soccer player Nicklas Bendtner has acquired 100% of Team Singularity, a prominent Danish esports organization. Bendtner, who is well-known for his time at English Premier League club Arsenal and a career that included stints at Wolfsburg and others, retired from football three years ago. His transition into esports marks a new chapter, underscoring the growing synergy between traditional sports and competitive gaming.
Bendtner has established an esports-focused investment and management company called Legendary Gaming Group. This venture aims to revolutionize the esports landscape with cutting-edge gaming experiences, elite talent development, and thrilling events. Speaking about his latest endeavor, Bendtner expressed his excitement, 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.”
Expanding the Legacy
Legendary Gaming Group has already made significant investments, including in New Breed Agency, Legendary Arena, and an as-yet-unnamed esports and gaming brand. Bendtner is joined in this ambitious project by several notable figures from the esports community: Team Singularity founder Atle Stehouwer, Tricked Esport founder Morten Jensen, Stephen Shine, and Jonas Rosbech. Stehouwer, who has been an influential figure in Team Singularity since its early days in the UK League of Legends scene, expressed his satisfaction with the development. “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,” Stehouwer said. “I’m thrilled and honoured to have found a proper home for Team Singularity under the Legendary Gaming Group wings.”
A Storied History
Team Singularity has a rich history in the competitive esports arena, having been part of the old ESL UK Premiership and competing in the UK/Nordics League of Legends NLC. Known for fostering talent and participating in high-caliber tournaments, the team has built a legacy that aligns well with Bendtner’s vision of elevating esports to new heights. This initiative comes on the heels of Tricked Esport’s closure last year, with many of its key figures, including founder Morten Jensen, now contributing to the Legendary Gaming Group.
The announcement of Bendtner acquiring Team Singularity also included a tease for an upcoming significant reveal scheduled for August 1st, 2024. This aligns with Stehouwer’s earlier statement about finding a stable and ambitious home for the team under Legendary Gaming Group, signaling exciting times ahead for the organization.
From Soccer Fields to Esports Arenas
Bendtner’s journey from soccer fields to esports arenas is both fascinating and indicative of a broader trend. The former striker began playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) during the COVID-19 pandemic, eventually owning a small CSGO team named Prosapia Esport. His involvement grew more serious over time, culminating in his participation in a showmatch at the Blast Premier Fall Finals in November 2022. There, Bendtner played on Team Denmark at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, cementing his commitment to the esports world.
Bendtner’s unique background contributes to his distinctive perspective on talent development and competition. His record for the fastest goal scored by a substitute in Premier League history—just 1.8 seconds after being substituted in a match against Tottenham on December 22, 2007—embodies the swift and decisive nature he aims to bring to his esports ventures.
A Noble Endeavor
Adding to Bendtner’s larger-than-life persona, he once dated Caroline Luel-Brockdorff, who hails from Danish royalty. In an intriguing blend of jest and honor, Danish celebrity tabloid 'Se og Hør' awarded him the title of “Lord” by buying him a square foot of land in Scotland. Lord Bendtner, as he is now humorously known, brings this aristocratic flair to his latest professional pursuits.
His investment in Legendary Gaming Group constitutes a bold step, merging his competitive spirit with a love for gaming. As Bendtner figures out his exact role within the company, he remains committed to actively participating in its growth. "My own role in the company will be an active one,” he commented, “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.”
With esteemed former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger recently announced as an ambassador for a new $100,000 FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager esports tournament, the boundaries between traditional and electronic sports continue to blur, heralding an era of innovative crossovers. As Legendary Gaming Group forges ahead under Bendtner’s stewardship, the esports community eagerly awaits the impact of this new powerhouse.