Nicklas Bendtner Acquires Danish Esports Organization Team Singularity
Former professional soccer player Nicklas Bendtner, known for his tenure with English Premier League club Arsenal and Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, has made a surprising yet strategic entry into the esports industry. Bendtner has acquired 100% ownership of the Danish esports organization, Team Singularity.
Having retired from professional football three years ago, Bendtner has not only transitioned into esports but has also established an investment and management company named Legendary Gaming Group. His new venture is aimed at capitalizing on the rapidly growing esports market by providing cutting-edge gaming experiences, elite talent development, and thrilling events.
“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,” shared Bendtner, who has actively cultivated a passion for gaming since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among the notable members of Legendary Gaming Group are Team Singularity founder Atle Stehouwer, Tricked Esport founder Morten Jensen, Stephen Shine, and Jonas Rosbech. Despite Tricked Esport folding last year, their legacy in the UK/Nordics League of Legends circuit remains influential, and Team Singularity, a veteran of the early ESL UK Premiership days, continues to compete in this space.
“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,” said Atle Stehouwer, reflecting on the strategic discussions that paved the way for this acquisition.
Bendtner’s foray into esports isn’t his first touchpoint with the gaming world. During the pandemic, he began playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) and even owned a small CSGO team, Prosapia Esport. His engagement with the esports community was further cemented when he participated in a show match at the Blast Premier Fall Finals in Copenhagen in November 2022, representing Team Denmark.
Joining him in this ambitious endeavor are seasoned esports veterans and influential figures. The team has also hinted at an announcement set for August 1st, 2024, which could potentially reveal further plans or a new venture under the Legendary Gaming Group banner.
While Bendtner’s career in football is storied—with memorable highlights such as scoring the fastest goal by a substitute in Premier League history—his transition to esports shows a keen understanding of diverse sports markets and a vision for future growth.
Indeed, Bendtner's personal life's touch of royalty and the title of “Lord,” humorously bestowed upon him by a Danish tabloid through the purchase of a square foot of land in Scotland, adds an intriguing layer to his persona. Such anecdotes, coupled with his athletic accomplishments, make his entry into the new frontier of esports even more captivating for fans and investors alike.
The Legendary Gaming Group’s investments also extend beyond Team Singularity. The group has stakes in New Breed Agency and Legendary Arena and is poised to introduce an unnamed esports and gaming brand, further broadening their portfolio in the esports domain.
In the landscape of esports and gaming, having a respected figure like Bendtner at the helm of such initiatives not only brings credibility but also bridges the gap between traditional sports and emerging digital arenas. With the support of industry veterans, his involvement is anticipated to bring innovative changes and heightened competition in esports.
While Legendary Gaming Group’s full scope of activities is still unfolding, the enthusiasm expressed by Bendtner and his team indicates promising developments for the future. “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 hinted, leaving room for speculation on the evolving leadership dynamics within the group.
As the esports industry continues to grow, attracting big names from traditional sports, Bendtner's venture could serve as a blueprint for future crossover opportunities, embodying the synergy between two of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly growing entertainment sectors.