Faker reveals his future plans with T1 after becoming part-owner
Riot GamesT1 Esports have announced a new deal with League of Legends star Lee ‘Faker’ Sang-hyeok that will see him remain with the organization for the rest of his time as a player.
Faker has signed a new three-year contract with T1 Entertainment & Sports that will see him become a part-owner of the organization. They have also agreed that Faker will move into a leadership position in the team after he retires from playing.
Three years is as long as Riot Games will permit player contracts to last, but Faker’s commitment to remaining with T1 seems clear, so even if he should continue to compete beyond that it seems this deal puts to bed any suggestions of him ever moving elsewhere.
The prospect of Faker potentially leaving T1 has been a major point of interest in the community every time his contract has come up, but the player has never expressed much interest in departing, recently revealing that he had turned down a $10 million contract from China and a ‘blank cheque’ offer from North America.
After making his debut with the organization in 2013, Faker quickly became the face of SK Telecom T1 as he established himself as the best player in the world and led the team to victory at the 2013 World Championships. With this new deal, he is set to remain a major part of T1 beyond his playing career.
Riot Games“I am excited to continue playing for T1 and am thankful for all the fans around the world who have supported me all these years,” said Faker. “I am honored to become a part owner of T1 and look forward to working with the leadership team beyond my playing career. I love this team and am proud to help mold the future of this organization.”
T1 CEO Joe Marsh also expressed his excitement about having Faker remain with the team for the long-term.
“T1 is thrilled to have Faker on its roster for the next three seasons. Since T1’s inception, Faker has been the cornerstone of our team’s success and his undying passion for this organization will continue to drive us forward now that he is a part owner of T1 Entertainment & Sports. Even after Faker’s retirement — whenever that may be — he will begin the next chapter of his legacy in a leadership role with T1, helping to mold the next generation of elite esports athletes.”
Faker isn’t the first player to be offered an ownership stake in their organization. During the offseason ahead of 2020, TSM announced that their own star mid laner, Soren ‘Bjergsen’ Bjerg, had also become a part-owner of the team.