Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok confirmed in a recent press conference that T1 presented him with a “good contract” and he expects to remain with the organization for the rest of his professional playing career.
The statement marks another chapter in one of esports’ most enduring partnerships. Faker debuted with T1 (then SK Telecom T1) in 2013 and has spent his entire 11-year top-tier career with the organization. He is widely regarded as the greatest League of Legends player of all time and has become the face of competitive League globally.
At 29 years old, Faker addressed questions about how long he can continue competing. He acknowledged that maintaining elite performance into his 40s would be unrealistic given the depth of talent in professional League. But he made clear he wants to keep playing as long as he can still demonstrate his skills at a meaningful competitive level.
The interview also touched on his current rivals and teammates. Faker named Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hun as his biggest rival recently, calling matches against him exciting and saying that watching Chovy motivates his own improvement.
The health factor
Longevity in esports often comes down to physical durability. Faker has dealt with wrist and arm issues over the years, a common problem for professional players who spend thousands of hours performing repetitive mechanical movements.
The combination of a strong contract offer and Faker’s stated intention to finish his career at T1 reinforces the unique bond between player and organization. T1 has built much of its brand identity around Faker, and his continued presence offers stability for fans, sponsors, and the competitive roster itself.
