Nicklas Bendtner has made a significant post-retirement move by acquiring 100% of the Danish esports organisation, Team Singularity. Bendtner, a former professional soccer player, is best known for his tenure with English Premier League club Arsenal, among others, including Wolfsburg. After announcing his retirement from football three years ago, Bendtner has shifted his focus to the burgeoning world of esports.
In what can be seen as a strategic leap into a new arena, Bendtner has established the esports-focused investment and management company, Legendary Gaming Group. This enterprise has already made notable investments in entities such as New Breed Agency, Legendary Arena, and an as-yet-unnamed esports and gaming brand. According to Legendary Gaming Group, the company aims to ‘revolutionise esports with cutting-edge gaming experiences, elite talent development, and thrilling events’.
The team at Legendary Gaming Group includes seasoned esports executives like Team Singularity founder Atle Stehouwer and Tricked Esport founder Morten Jensen, as well as Stephen Shine and Jonas Rosbech. Despite Tricked Esport closing down last year, the expertise brought in by Jensen and others is expected to drive the group’s vision forward.
“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 remarked.
Team Singularity's History
Team Singularity isn’t new to the esports scene; it has roots dating back to the earlier days of UK and Nordics League of Legends play. The organization has been an active participant in the UK/Nordics League of Legends Championship (NLC) and was also part of the old ESL UK Premiership as early as 2017. Singularity has announced an upcoming revelation set for August 1st, 2024, creating buzz and anticipation in the esports community.
Atle Stehouwer, who has been instrumental in the operations of Team Singularity, had this to say: “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.”
Expanding Ventures
Bendtner's venture into esports is more than just an investment; it’s a passion project. He began playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) during the COVID-19 pandemic and even owned a small CSGO team called Prosapia Esport. Bendtner further demonstrated his commitment to the esports world by participating in a showmatch at the Blast Premier Fall Finals in November 2022 at Copenhagen's Royal Arena, where he played on Team Denmark.
His foray into gaming is part of a broader trend of athletes transitioning into the esports industry, leveraging their fame and competitive spirit. Bendtner’s new role at Legendary Gaming Group will be an active one, although the specific title and responsibilities are yet to be fully defined. Bendtner suggested that his role would depend on the other sports profiles joining the venture.
A Home for Esports
With the acquisition of Team Singularity and the establishment of Legendary Gaming Group, Bendtner seems poised to leave a mark on the esports industry. This transition symbolizes more than just a career change; it's a testament to his adaptability and keen interest in emerging sports entertainment platforms.
The involvement of notable figures like Atle Stehouwer and Morten Jensen underscores the potential impact of Legendary Gaming Group on the esports scene. The combination of experienced esports executives and Bendtner’s compelling vision could indeed revolutionize the landscape, fulfilling the company's promise of providing cutting-edge gaming experiences and elite talent development.
Bendtner’s journey from football fields to the digital arenas of esports is a fascinating evolution, highlighting how traditional sports figures can influence and inspire the growth of esports. The upcoming announcement from Team Singularity on August 1st, 2024, is now eagerly awaited by fans and stakeholders alike, heralding a new chapter in the storied history of the organization.
As Arsène Wenger joins the esports bandwagon as an ambassador for a $100,000 FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager esports tournament, it’s clear that the lines between traditional sports and esports are progressively blurring. Bendtner’s active role in this burgeoning industry is a noteworthy development, and his endeavors with Legendary Gaming Group may well set new standards in the world of esports.