In an unexpected yet intriguing move within the esports industry, former professional soccer player Nicklas Bendtner has taken a remarkable leap from the pitch to the digital battlefield. Bendtner, who once donned the colors of renowned clubs like Arsenal and Wolfsburg, has now acquired 100% of the Danish esports organization Team Singularity.
Bendtner, known to fans as "Lord Bendtner" after a cheeky title bestowed upon him by a Danish tabloid, announced his retirement from professional football three years ago. His transition into the esports sphere underscores his evolving interests and ambitions beyond football. An early adopter of competitive gaming, Bendtner’s fascination with esports was piqued during the COVID-19 pandemic when he began playing the popular shooter game, CS:GO.
Bendtner’s acquisition of Team Singularity is part of a broader vision he has for the esports industry, encapsulated within his newly established investment and management company, Legendary Gaming Group. The group aims to revolutionize the esports landscape with innovative gaming experiences, top-tier talent development, and exciting events. Alongside Bendtner, Legendary Gaming Group boasts an impressive roster that includes Team Singularity founder Atle Stehouwer, Tricked Esport founder Morten Jensen, Stephen Shine, and Jonas Rosbech.
“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 shared. His enthusiasm signals a hands-on approach as he navigates his new executive role, although his specific title within the company remains undecided, pending the integration of other sports figures.
A New Chapter for Team Singularity
Team Singularity, a staple of the early UK League of Legends competitive scene since 2017, has found a fresh home under the Legendary Gaming Group umbrella. The organization, along with the now-defunct Tricked Esport, has been active in the UK/Nordics League of Legends circuits, contributing significantly to the regional esports landscape.
Atle Stehouwer, who has been relatively passive in Team Singularity’s operations for the past two years, expressed his satisfaction with the recent developments. "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,” Stehouwer stated.
Strategic Investments
Beyond Team Singularity, Legendary Gaming Group has also made strategic investments in New Breed Agency and Legendary Arena, in addition to a yet-unnamed esports and gaming brand. This diversified portfolio highlights the group’s commitment to establishing a significant footprint in multiple facets of the esports industry.
Bendtner’s foray into esports isn't just about business; it reflects his personal passion for gaming. Before acquiring Team Singularity, he was involved in a small CS:GO team called Prosapia Esport, and even participated in a showmatch at the Blast Premier Fall Finals in 2022, playing for Team Denmark at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen.
Legacy in Football and Beyond
Nicklas Bendtner’s legacy in football is marked by his tenure with prominent clubs and memorable moments on the field, including setting the record for the fastest goal by a substitute in Premier League history. However, his post-football endeavors demonstrate a remarkable capacity for reinvention and an eagerness to embrace new challenges.
As esports continues to grow as a global phenomenon, Bendtner’s involvement is poised to bring fresh perspectives and opportunities to the industry. With the anticipation building around Team Singularity’s teased announcement slated for August 1st, 2024, fans and stakeholders alike are eager to see how Lord Bendtner’s vision will shape the future of esports.