Nicklas Bendtner, former professional soccer player known for his tenure with Arsenal and Wolfsburg, has ventured into the esports arena by acquiring 100% ownership of Danish esports organization Team Singularity. Bendtner, who retired from football three years ago, is propelling his new career through the establishment of Legendary Gaming Group, an investment and management company focused on esports.
The move marks a significant transition for Bendtner, who started exploring the world of esports during the COVID-19 pandemic, developing a passion for the popular game Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO). His initial foray into gaming included owning a small CSGO team, Prosapia Esport, and participating in a showmatch at the Blast Premier Fall Finals in Copenhagen, where he played for Team Denmark.
“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 commented on his new venture. His enthusiasm for the esports market aligns with the group's mission to revolutionize the industry with cutting-edge gaming experiences, elite talent development, and thrilling events.
Joining him at Legendary Gaming Group are prominent figures in the esports domain, such as Team Singularity founder Atle Stehouwer, Tricked Esport founder Morten Jensen, Stephen Shine, and Jonas Rosbech. This assembly of expertise hints at a promising future for the company and its projects.
Team Singularity: A New Chapter
Team Singularity has a notable history within the UK/Nordics League of Legends NLC and was active during the early days of UK League of Legends, dating back to 2017. The organization was also a part of the old ESL UK Premiership. Despite a hiatus in operations and the closing down of Tricked Esport last year, Team Singularity remains a well-regarded name in the esports community.
Stehouwer expressed his excitement about the new direction for Team Singularity, stating, “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.”
Investments and Future Endeavors
Besides revitalizing Team Singularity, Legendary Gaming Group has invested in New Breed Agency and Legendary Arena, with plans for a yet-unnamed esports and gaming brand. These investments are part of Bendtner's broader vision for the group, which aims to establish itself as a significant player in the esports sector.
One of the key goals for Legendary Gaming Group is not only to participate in the existing gaming landscape but to innovate and push boundaries. Their claim of ‘revolutionising esports with cutting-edge gaming experiences, elite talent development, and thrilling events’ sets a high bar for the future initiatives they plan to undertake.
An Influential Team
Given Bendtner’s profile, influence in sports, and the notable figures he has partnered with, the developments at Legendary Gaming Group are certain to be closely watched by both the esports community and traditional sports media. The involvement of experienced professionals like Stehouwer and Jensen adds an extra layer of credibility and expectation surrounding the group’s future projects.
Bendtner himself remains actively engaged with the day-to-day operations of Legendary Gaming Group, although his exact role within the company is still being finalized. “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,” he elaborated.
Looking ahead, fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating the announcement teased for August 1st, 2024, by Team Singularity. Whatever the revelation may be, it is likely to further solidify Bendtner’s and Legendary Gaming Group’s commitment to creating impactful and groundbreaking contributions to the esports world.
As Bendtner transitions from the green fields of football to the digital arenas of esports, his journey underscores the evolving nature of sports and entertainment, blending traditional athleticism with the innovative and rapidly growing domain of competitive gaming. With a promising start and a clear vision, Legendary Gaming Group’s trajectory indeed seems poised for success.