Reports say LCS Faker was almost a reality

For League of Legends Championship Series enthusiasts, the idea of Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok competing in North America always seemed like pure fantasy. However, recent investigative reporting reveals the legendary mid-laner came remarkably close to joining an LCS franchise during the most recent transfer window.

Faker stands as the most decorated professional in League of Legends history, an achievement that may never be matched. His trophy cabinet includes ten LCK domestic titles, two Mid-Season Invitational championships, and an unprecedented three World Championship victories. Throughout his illustrious career, the Faker brand has become intrinsically linked with Korean competitive excellence and the LCK ecosystem.

Yet according to verified sources, this longstanding association nearly underwent a seismic shift when Faker entertained concrete proposals from LCS organizations seeking to secure his services.

LCS almost got Faker, reports say

Investigative journalist Alejandro Gomis of BLIX.GG has uncovered compelling evidence that Faker fielded substantial contract proposals from two separate North American organizations during the previous offseason.

According to Gomis’s detailed report, FlyQuest presented an annual compensation package ranging between $3-5 million, supplemented by performance-based incentives. This represents one of the most generous salary offers ever documented within the LCS ecosystem.

Surprisingly, FlyQuest’s multimillion-dollar proposal wasn’t even the most lucrative offer on the table. Team Liquid Honda reportedly submitted an even more substantial financial package that surpassed FlyQuest’s already staggering bid. While speculation about North American teams pursuing Faker has circulated for years, the specific financial details remained largely speculative until now.

Despite these extraordinary financial incentives clearly available to him, Faker continues to compete within the LCK for the only organization he has ever represented: T1, previously known as SKT T1. This decision demonstrates that regardless of the monetary resources North American teams can mobilize, Faker remains committed to his competitive home.

North American League of Legends, with its well-documented reliance on imported talent and ongoing questions about the region’s competitive future, has received increased scrutiny recently. These revelations highlight the substantial financial firepower that LCS franchises can potentially deploy when pursuing elite international players.

Gomis’s reporting indicates Faker gave serious consideration to Team Liquid Honda’s proposal before ultimately recommitting to T1. While the TL Faker scenario never materialized, sources suggest T1 is simultaneously evaluating additional roster enhancements, with star player Scout reportedly under consideration for their Summer Split lineup.

Strategic Insight: This near-transfer represents a pivotal moment in understanding the global League of Legends economy. When even Faker—the player most synonymous with Korean esports—entertains North American offers, it signals a potential shift in how top talent evaluates career opportunities across regions.

The financial figures involved also raise important questions about sustainable team building strategies and whether massive individual investments deliver proportional competitive returns. Organizations must balance star power acquisitions with developing domestic talent pipelines, a challenge explored in our Class Guide for optimal roster construction.

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