League of Legends Korean titans confirm that a new Faker T1 contract will keep the iconic esports player signed to their organisation until 2029.
Lee ‘Faker’ Sang-hyeok, also known by titles such as “The Unkillable Demon King,” will remain with T1 for the foreseeable future.
Contract resigning confirms 16 years of Faker at T1
Faker has become synonymous with T1 after first signing to the organisation in 2013, while it was under its previous name, SK Telecom T1. As the most decorated League of Legends player of all time and the first ever League of Legends Hall of Fame inductee, T1 are not ready to let the iconic player explore any other career options.
In a dramatic video announcement, T1 displays the years 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029, before declaring four more years of Faker lie ahead.
Across his T1 career, Faker has won five World Championship Titles (2012, 2015, 2016, 2023, and 2024), two Midseason Invitationals (2016 and 2017), and ten regional LCK (Korean) titles.
His World Championship titles are referenced in the announcement video, with a shot showing five Championship rings on one of Faker’s hands.
On June 6th, 2024, he also became the first inductee to the League of Legends Hall of Fame. President of Esports at Riot Games, John Needham, named him as “truly the most iconic and influential figure in League of Legends and esports history.”
Unsurprisingly, the Faker T1 contract is now confirmed as resigned. However, the length of the contract is more shocking.
Faker is currently 29 years of age. By 2029, he will be 33 years old. If he is still competing on T1’s main roster at this time, he will have been competing professionally for 16 years, or around half of his lifetime.
The League of Legends Esports community reacts with celebration and disbelief
With older League of Legends players being a rarity, Faker’s four-year signing is a shock to many. However, many are also expressing this shock with accompanying respect for his longevity.
The Faker T1 contract announcement also comes as Faker becomes the first player to reach 3500 kills in the Korean regional League of Legends circuit.
T1’s recent win over MSI and Esports World Cup winners Gen.G also places them back in the running to win a third consecutive World Championship title. The mere presence of Faker on a roster indicates higher chances of victory on League of Legends betting sites.
In the words of one fan, “He reached this milestone at homeground and later on announced he’s re-signing for 4 more years to T1. He really is the main character and we’re all just part of the plot.”
The admiration and adoration commanded by Faker in League of Esports is incomparable and will indeed not cease anytime soon.
How many more records will the League of Legends icon set under T1? We can only wait and see over the next four years.
Hannah is a writer specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports and Apex Legends, although it may never surpass her drive to passionately beat her friends in every game of Mariokart. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ESI London, EGX, Discover: Esports and many League of Legends watch parties.