Professional League of Legends player Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok has become a part-owner of T1 Entertainment & Sports.
He also signed a new three-year player contract to continue to compete for T1 in the LCK.
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When Faker, who’s 23 years of age, decides to retire from playing League of Legends, he will take on a leadership role within the organisation to “help facilitate global operations.”
Faker commented on the venture in a release: “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. 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.”
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This development is similar to one that happened in October last year, when Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg acquired a stake in TSM as part of his renewing his player contract with the organisation.
Joe Marsh, CEO of T1 Entertainment & Sports, also spoke on the decision: “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.”
Esports Insider says: Faker is one of the faces of League of Legends and esports as a whole, so it’s a clever move for T1 to lock him in for the long-term – and not only in a playing capacity. While it’s hard to say whether he’ll be a valuable asset behind the scenes when it comes to the nitty gritty, he has (at least) three years to keep learning.