The T1 team dominated the international scene of League of Legends for the last 3 years with exactly the same lineup of 5 players: Faker, Zeus, Oner, Gumayusi and Keria. The CEO, Joe Marsh, raves: This is the best lineup in LoL history. But in 12 days, 4 of the contracts expire. Fans wonder: Will the team stay together?
This is the situation: Since 2022, the current lineup of T1 has been playing together in this form:
- Faker (28) is the only experienced player on the team. The midlaner had already won 3 world championship titles for T1 at an early age.
- Keria, the supporter, was already regarded as a star at 17 and made his debut in 2020 for the Korean team DRX. He was so strong that T1 brought him on board in 2021 to replace the then-struggling supporter Effort.
- Oner, Zeus, and Gumayusi all came from T1’s own youth program. ADC Gumayusi was already promoted to the main team in 2021, with Teddy making way for him. Top-laner Zeus and jungler Oner were promoted in 2022. None of the three have ever played for any other team than T1.
In 3 years, the team became world champions twice and reached 3 World Championship finals
This is how strong the team is: Since the 5 players have been playing together in this form, they have primarily impressed internationally. Over the last three years, they have reached the finals of the World Championship each year and won two World titles.
Such success is an exception in LoL. Most teams fail to deliver such consistent performances. The world champion from the previous year often faces problems in the next year.
World champion teams from years like FunPlusPhoenix (2019), Edward Gaming (2021), or DRX (2022) no longer played any significant role in 2024. Even DAMWON Gaming, who looked like the team for the next five years in 2020, have since fallen apart and didn’t even make it to the quarter-finals of Worlds in 2024.
While T1 also struggled in 2024 in the national league and could only qualify as the 4th and last team from South Korea for the Worlds. But at the Worlds, they delivered an extremely strong performance and thrilled the fans.
Which contracts are expiring? The contracts of Zeus, Oner, Gumayusi, and Keria will expire on Nov 18, 2024.
Faker’s contract runs until the end of 2025 – it is considered unlikely that he will leave T1 since he is a co-owner of the organization.
What do the players say? After winning the World Championship, the players were asked if they would stay together (via x).
Keria hesitated with his answer and then said: He doesn’t know if he would even be able to play in 2025. But if he plays, then … – He was evidently overwhelmed by his emotions and stepped back at that moment.
ADC Gumayusi took over and stated that contracts are too sensitive a topic to discuss here. He did, however, imply that he definitely wants to stay on the roster and sees a possibility that the team stays together. But ultimately, each player must decide for themselves.
Will Oner or Zeus receive an offer they can’t refuse?
What speaks against them staying together? In the discussion among fans, two main possibilities are mentioned as reasons a player might leave:
- It is anticipated that a lot of salary is tied up with Faker. And it could be that an extremely strong financial offer, an offer “that you can’t refuse,” comes in for one of the other players.
- Or it could be that a player leaves the team because the pressure to perform in year 4 is so great.
T1 says: They are well prepared to retain the players
What speaks for the team staying together? The owner Joe Marsh speaks highly of the players, stating that this is the best roster of all time (via x). He wants to keep the players, especially since there are no upgrades for any of the 5.
There is also a statement from T1’s COO, Josh, that there will not be an “exodus” and that they are well prepared to retain the players (via youtube). Fans shouldn’t be nervous.
Also, the statements from Keria and Gumayusi are seen as confirmation that the team could stay together.
Furthermore, T1 as a team has the possibility to pay the players more than other teams because they are calculated more favorably against the salary cap.
Some experts also note: T1 can certainly expect huge revenues generated from the skins when a team becomes world champion: LoL: Players from T1 explain which skins they would choose for winning Worlds 2024 – Faker with exceptional status
At the moment, however, it remains to be seen how the players will decide in the coming days.
