T1 players aside from Faker will became free agents after their contracts expire on mid November, days after the closure of Worlds 2024.
The best League of Legends (LoL) teams from around the globe are fighting for supremacy as we reach the halfway point of Worlds 2024. Among these teams, T1, the reigning Worlds 2023 champions, has drawn the most attention from fans.
T1 has struggled to qualify for Worlds 2024, leading many to doubt whether the four-time champions can replicate last year's success. With key players' contracts nearing their expiration, 2024 is seen by many as a make-or-break year for the team.
This echoes with an emotional quote from LoL Esports caster Isaac "Azael" Cummings Bentley during the Worlds 2023 Finals teaser between T1 and WBG: "This might be the last year this roster plays together."
T1 Players Facing Contract Expirations, Except Faker
The current T1 roster, composed of Zeus, Oner, Faker, Gumayusi, and Keria—affectionately known as ZOFGK—has faced ups and downs together since the beginning of Spring Split 2022. Since that moment, the roster has collected trophies from the LCK Spring 2022, Worlds 2023, and EWC 2024, as well as multiple runner-ups from other major tournaments.
According to the LoL Esports Global Contract Database (GCD), the contracts for all T1 players, except Faker, are set to expire on November 17, 2024. Faker, meanwhile, remains contracted until November 18, 2025. No official updates on contract renewals have been shared yet by T1, as those announcements typically come after the conclusion of Worlds.
Rumors and hints have begun to surface, with players discussing their future plans. Zeus and Keria mentioned their plan in a recent T1 video to begin their basic military training this winter. The training itself is reportedly to last only for a month, as both of them (as well as Faker and Kkoma) have received an exemption from mandatory military service after winning the Gold Medal for South Korea at the Asian Games 2023.
In an interview with Sheep Esports, Oner shared his perspective on the impending contract expirations, saying, “Honestly, I didn’t expect this roster to stay together for so long, so I don’t feel pressured. Even if this roster breaks apart next year, my main focus is on winning Worlds this year, and I want to put in as much effort as possible until the end. Regardless of what happens after Worlds, I’m ready to handle it.”
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Will T1 players renew their contracts?
In 2023, T1 quickly secured its star roster by renewing the contracts of Zeus, Gumayusi, and Keria, just four days after winning their fourth World Championship. At that time, all three players were free agents with the option to entertain offers from other teams.
Zeus, Keria, and Gumayusi have expressed their desire to stay with T1 in the past. In a January 2024 episode of the Korean variety show "Knowing Bros", Keria stated, “Even if another team offers more money and better conditions, staying with T1 has more value than just the price.” Meanwhile, Zeus mentioned that he had received offers from other teams and was considering his options.
As Worlds 2024 progresses, the future of the ZOFGK lineup remains uncertain. The outcome of the tournament will likely play a role in shaping T1's contract decisions. Fans will have to wait for Worlds 2024 to conclude, hopefully with another victory for T1, to find out how negotiations with the four players unfold.
Stay tuned on esports.gg for the latest update regarding T1 and Worlds 2024.
