Former professional soccer player Nicklas Bendtner, famously known as "Lord Bendtner," has plunged into the dynamic world of esports by acquiring full ownership of the Danish esports organization Team Singularity. The Danish legend, who once graced the fields for clubs such as Arsenal and Wolfsburg, has undertaken this venture through his newly established investment and management company, Legendary Gaming Group.
Bendtner's retirement from football three years ago did not spell the end of his competitive spirit. Rather, it marked the beginning of his foray into the digital realm, where he became captivated by the thriving esports industry. “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.
The Legendary Gaming Group boasts a roster of ambitious projects aimed at revolutionizing the esports landscape. Among its early ventures, the group has invested in the New Breed Agency and Legendary Arena, along with a yet-unnamed esports and gaming brand. Their mission? To deliver cutting-edge gaming experiences, elite talent development, and thrilling events that captivate the esports community.
At the helm of Legendary Gaming Group alongside Bendtner are notable figures such as Team Singularity founder Atle Stehouwer, Tricked Esport founder Morten Jensen, Stephen Shine, and Jonas Rosbech. Stehouwer, who has been instrumental in the early UK/Nordics League of Legends scene, expressed his enthusiasm about the merger. “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,” he stated.
Team Singularity, known for its presence in the early days of the UK League of Legends community and the old ESL UK Premiership, is set to benefit immensely from this new chapter under Legendary Gaming Group. As a focal point of Bendtner’s vision, Team Singularity promises and teases significant developments, with a major announcement slated for August 1, 2024. This anticipation marks a significant step forward for the team that once showcased its prowess in the competitive esports arena.
Bendtner's burgeoning interest in esports took root during the COVID-19 pandemic when he began playing CS:GO. Furthering his commitment, he owned a small CS:GO team named Prosapia Esport and even participated in a high-profile showmatch at the Blast Premier Fall Finals at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, representing Team Denmark in November 2022.
His colorful personal history, which includes a relationship with Danish royalty member Caroline Luel-Brockdorff and a tabloid-bestowed "Lord" title thanks to a square foot of Scottish land, adds an intriguing dimension to his persona. Despite these anecdotes, Bendtner's sports legacy remains remarkable, holding the record for the fastest goal by a substitute in Premier League history.
This venture into esports coincides with broader trends in the sports world, such as the recent announcement of Arsene Wenger as an ambassador for a substantial FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager esports tournament. As traditional sports legends like Bendtner and Wenger embrace the digital shift, the confluence of sports and esports continues to gain momentum.
Thus, Legendary Gaming Group, with its experienced and passionate team, is poised to make impactful strides in the esports domain. As Bendtner himself noted, his role within the company might evolve, contingent on the roles other sports profiles coming on board will assume. “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 remarked.
With the esports landscape evolving rapidly, Nicklas Bendtner's transition from soccer to esports signifies an exciting new chapter, promising innovation, competitive excellence, and a touch of the extraordinary.