“League of Legends” T1 CEO personally responded to fans’ questions on the line, and Zeus Agency also spoke out

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“League of Legends” T1 CEO personally responded to fans’ questions on the line, and Zeus Agency also spoke out

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The “League of Legends” T1 team responded positively to the recent transfer period turmoil. Top laner Zeus chose to leave the team, triggering widespread discussion among fans. In an AMA (Ask Me Anything) event held on the FM Korea forum, T1 CEO Joe Marsh responded directly to the matter for the first time, revealing that the agent’s strategy and behavior during the negotiation process were the key factors that prevented the two parties from reaching an agreement. He also expressed his respect and blessings for Zeus, but admitted that the breakdown of this cooperation was regrettable.

Regarding this AMA event, Joe Marsh first thanked the fans for their firm support, and also mentioned that fans’ enthusiastic purchase of World Championship-related merchandise is of great significance to them and helped T1 retain most of its lineup. This AMA event was proposed as early as 10/2, but during the World Championships at the time, they decided to reconsider the proposal after the transfer period.

This AMA will be the last time we talk about Zeus leaving T1. Joe Marsh finally said, “We are forever grateful for Zeus’ contribution to the team. Zeus made the decision he thought was best for him, and we fully respect his choice. , and wish him all the best in the future.”

This AMA has a total of 43 questions and answers. T1 provides three language versions: Korean, English and Simplified Chinese. Since the content is the same, the questions translated in the Korean version and the answers in Simplified Chinese will be excerpted below.

Q1. The news just came out that Hanyi (Chinese anchor) said that T1 cannot even satisfy 2 billion. Is this true?

This is not the case. The broker also didn’t respond to the offer we sent, so we didn’t even have a chance to respond to the offer.

Q2. What is Zeus’s salary? Can you show it to us with your finger?

You need to ask player Zeus about this…or better yet, ask player Zeus’s agent, but you have to make sure you can meet him first.

Q3. What is the highest price T1 can offer to Zeus?

It would be inappropriate for me to reveal the specific details of T1’s offer to Zeus players. What I can say is that T1 wants to provide every player with the best possible treatment for every position.

Based on this goal, we have negotiated with all players, including Zeus. Throughout the entire negotiation process, the broker did not provide us with any counter-proposals… This negotiation could have gone much smoother if the broker could have clearly communicated their goals.

Q4. What is the difference between the quoted amounts of Zeus in T1 and Hanwha Life Esports?

Again, providing each player with the best possible package at each position is the biggest goal. We are fully prepared to cooperate with the Zeus player’s proposal. But the agent didn’t even give us such an opportunity…it’s a pity.

Q5. I am most interested in the specific process and progress of Zeus’s departure. When was the decision roughly made? What was the reaction from other players? What about the atmosphere within the team?

From our perspective, player Zeus made his decision on the morning of the start of the FA period. We thought we had basically reached an agreement, but the atmosphere suddenly changed at noon that day. As for the reactions of other players and the atmosphere of the team, it is not convenient to disclose them out of respect for the relevant personnel.

Q6. How does it feel to lose the “real home-grown players”? (The “real home-grown player” here refers to Zeus, who rose from the T1 youth training team to the main lineup.)

I wouldn’t classify Zeus’ transfer as a “missed player.” We hope that Zeus player can stay in T1 for a long time in the future, and we have done our best to achieve this goal. While it is sad to see him leave, we respect his choice and wish him all the best in his future career.

Q7. I am very curious about the behind-the-scenes stories of Zeus and Doran during the transfer period.

Regarding the transfer of Zeus players, I have already answered it in other questions. As for player Doran, he has always wanted to join T1. I think his offensive play style is a perfect fit for T1. We think Player Doran’s training volume is very heavy and we rate it highly.

Q8. What do you think is the biggest reason for losing Zeus?

In my opinion, the biggest factor in losing Zeus as a player is the influence of his agent and management company. This group has always prioritized financial interests rather than considering what is truly beneficial to the players from a broader perspective… While we respect player Zeus’s decision, the agency had a lot of trouble leading up to this result. Big impact, which makes me sad.

Q9. How do you feel after the lineup of Zeus, Oner, Faker, Gumayusi and Keria was disbanded?

Parting is always sad, but this parting makes me feel like I have seen the end of a legend, which makes me even more regretful… Although the road ahead is different now, the history they created will always exist. I am so grateful and cherish those times spent together. Thank you to player Zeus, and also to these team members who have transcended their status as players and become family members.

Q10. Is there a big gap between the salary offered by T1 to Zeus and that of Hanwha Life Esports?

If there is an opportunity, we would like to satisfy the Zeus player’s proposal even if it is just a one-year contract. The message we’re getting is that players want long-term stability, and we’re ready to make that happen. But unfortunately we did not have the opportunity to make suggestions to the players.

Q11. Did T1 really sit on the negotiating table with Zeus? Can’t keep it or don’t want to keep it? You have time to publish an exclusive report, but you can’t keep Zeus?

We submitted multiple proposals during the negotiation process but never received any counter-proposal from the broker. We were told on Tuesday that agents and Zeus players would be at the T1 corporate building to sign contracts. But they never showed up and signed contracts elsewhere.

This article was written after the Zeus player decided to stay or leave. We fully realize that T1 fans hope that player Zeus and the ZOFGK lineup can stay, and in order to prevent player Zeus and his family from being harmed, we believe that it is the right decision to disclose the specific process of the contract to fans. We still want to provide accurate and transparent information to our fans who continue to support us.

Q12. How quickly did Doran complete the signing?

After learning that player Zeus had signed a contract with HLE, team leader Becker and COO An Xiongji contacted player Doran’s agent and quickly signed the contract. Player Doran expressed his gratitude to T1 for the proposal and the signing went smoothly. We hope that all fans can give Doran player more support and encouragement.

Q13. What is the direction of T1 in this transfer period?

Our biggest goal during the transfer period is to retain players Zeus, Oner, Gumayusi, and Keria. Therefore, it is our goal to provide each player with the maximum salary for his corresponding position.

Q14. Did Zeus conflict with T1 during the transfer process? Why were his photos removed so quickly?

There were no conflicts with Zeus players throughout the entire signing process. We encountered some difficulties in negotiating with the broker. Although we made multiple proposals, the brokerage firm did not come up with any alternatives. The reason why Zeus’s photos were quickly deleted is that T1 no longer owns the rights to Zeus.

Q15. Can you share the behind-the-scenes details of the contract renewals of Oner, Gumayusi and Keria?

Since the Keria player had shaved his hair to prepare for military service, we completed the signing at his home. Players Oner and Gumayusi came to the company with their agents and showed their willingness to renew their contracts.

Q16. What is the signing process for Doran and what are the expectations for him?

The process of signing Doran player was very smooth. We look forward to player Doran continuing the history of T1 with even greater strength. But I hope that player Doran will not be compared with player Zeus, but will be evaluated by Doran himself. We believe that the current coaching team and players can achieve greater goals, and the fans will also believe in us.

Q17. Did Zeus’ transfer have problems due to the way the agent negotiated with the players? Is this approach to negotiation applying pressure by setting deadlines?

The related problems we encountered when negotiating with Zeus players were entirely caused by the agent. The arbitrary deadlines that agents talk about are not set by other teams, but are created by themselves. The agent has not shown any intention to reach an agreement with T1, which we deeply regret.

Q18. Can you introduce the current situation of the second team of T1?

While the LCK team lineup is being determined, Captain Becker is working hard to form the CL (second team) lineup. Currently, a new top laner has been signed and efforts are being made to complete contracts with players in other positions.

Q19. It seems that T1 is very determined to maintain the original lineup, why did they still lose Zeus? How can this problem be improved in the future?

Players have the right to decide whether to renew or transfer. Our role is to help them understand why T1 is the best place for players to grow. From a broader perspective, I think the introduction of sports financial regulations (“salary caps”) increases fairness, but makes it difficult to maintain an iconic lineup like ZOFGK.

Q20. If T1 funds are not less than HLE, why did it still lose Zeus? Are the broker’s demands unreasonable?

The broker never raised any objections to T1’s proposal and never gave us an opportunity to propose a compliant alternative. If it’s just about money, the agent should just state the exact amount wanted. As mentioned before, for face-to-face discussions, the broker agreed to meet at the T1 company building in the morning, but the broker did not come and signed the contract elsewhere.

Q21. Why is only player Gumayusi signing a one-year contract?

Player Gumayusi’s one-year contract makes him full of motivation for self-improvement. He has a strong mentality and I have a lot of respect for what he does in and out of the canyon. He has maturity beyond his years and is a necessary player for the team.

Q22. There are rumors that Zeus’ agent delayed negotiations until Kiin negotiations were completed and raised his salary by avoiding meetings. Is this true?

I can’t confirm these rumors without solid evidence. During the transfer window, fact and speculation are often hard to distinguish. But if the agent really wants to complete the contract with T1, he has plenty of opportunities to do so.

Q23. Is the reason for Zeus leaving just because of money?

I think only Zeus players can answer this question. What I can say is that I am very grateful for everything Zeus has done for T1. He is an integral part of the team’s success and I don’t think he makes decisions based solely on money. He really likes his teammates and this team and the atmosphere they create together. I hope he can enjoy the achievements he has made during his time in T1 and wish him a bright future.

Q24. In addition to money, does Zeus have any other requirements?

We were initially told that Zeus was interested in a long-term deal, but that was not what he ultimately signed. Throughout the entire process, we never received a specific demand because the broker never made a counterproposal to our proposal. Instead, we are forced to guess, while brokers frequently change conditions, especially when it comes to contract lengths.

The most frustrating thing is the lack of transparency. We value honesty and believe that our commitments to each other should be binding. They told us they would come to our company to negotiate a contract on the first day of free agency, but ended up doing the exact opposite, which was very disappointing to us.

Q25. Has player Doran’s participation been confirmed?

After player Zeus decided to leave, we started discussing the introduction of player Doran. Considering the strength of the team’s roster, I think it’s crucial to bring in experienced top laners who have proven their ability in high-level competition. Judging from player Doran’s background, strength and performance, I think he is the most suitable candidate.

Q26. The transfer of Zeus is more sudden than the transfers of Canyon and Ruler. T1 fans are puzzled by his departure. Can you explain to fans why Zeus, T1’s home-grown superstar, would transfer to a domestic competitor?

I think player Zeus can answer this question better. From my perspective, T1 not only provides an environment for players to win championships, but also provides a global platform to help players become brands and fully supports them.

T1 strives to provide players with opportunities to grow outside of the game. The most important thing is that T1 fans give the players and team tremendous support, which makes them even more special.

Player Zeus joined T1 at a young age and has shown potential to become a star player, so we felt that joining ZOFGK was a natural choice. Therefore, it is difficult to speculate why player Zeus decided to transfer. I am convinced that ZOFGK is the strongest lineup ever and has achieved historic success. Although it is sad that this era seems to have ended a little too quickly, I will cherish what they achieved.

Q27. Some people think that this transfer turmoil is due to the deliberate concealment of information, and some even question T1’s management capabilities. Mr. CEO, can you explain your role in this incident and your response to it?

Our goal is to successfully renew the contracts of all players and make the ZOFGK lineup a legend. We are committed to maintaining this roster and its great synergy. Each player has their own motivations, goals, and circumstances, and their decision to renew or transfer is their personal choice, and I don’t think it comes down to a lack of effort from the team. Team leader Becker and COO Ahn Woong-ki are working hard day and night to retain all the players.

I actually spent a lot of time in League of Legends and had a lot of discussions with Captain Becker to build the ideal environment for the players.

The champion always comes first. Therefore, when I encountered a DDoS attack, despite the huge financial losses, I still chose to interrupt the players’ personal live broadcast for the sake of their training. T1 not only supports players physically and mentally, but also does its best both inside and outside the game to create an environment where they can perform at their best.

Q28. During the negotiation process with Zeus, there were rumors that T1 had proposed a salary close to HLE and a 1+1 contract, but was unable to reach an agreement due to the “negotiation deadline” set by the other party. Are these rumors true?

We wanted to match the Zeus player’s proposal, but there was no chance. But the agent set an arbitrary deadline for signing the contract and knew we were on our way to meet them.

Despite this, they had contracts elsewhere before we arrived. In addition, the day before, the agent had promised to come to the company building with the Zeus players at 10 a.m. the next day to complete the signing, but they did not show up. Based on these behaviors, I would like to advise everyone not to completely believe what the broker says.

Q29. Did Zeus’s agent choose Doran because he delayed negotiations and had no other players to choose from?

After player Zeus decided to leave, we discussed suitable candidates with the coaching team and finally selected player Doran. I believe kkOma and coach Tom can maximize Doran’s potential as a player.

Q30. Is Zeus’s departure a personal decision? Is there really no conflict with T1 management?

T1 hopes that player Zeus can stay. The decision to leave is the player’s personal choice and his right. T1 hopes to keep the ZOFGK group together.

Q31. How do you evaluate Doran? What was the reason for recruiting him?

After we communicated with the coaching staff, we felt that Doran was the most suitable player for our team at that time.

Q32. There are rumors that Gumayusi was dissatisfied with his performance and therefore chose to freeze his salary. Is this true?

This rumor is not true. I think Gumayusi has the qualifications to become a two-time world champion. As a player who has achieved two world championships, he continues to work hard to improve his strength and progress. His contributions have been an important factor in T1’s success and we are grateful that he has chosen to continue working with T1.

Q33. Can you explain the final contract conditions proposed to Zeus?

We are still waiting for his agent to give us a proposal. The broker never told us the number they wanted. We think our quote is very close to HLE’s quote.

Q34. Will the coaching staff be strengthened? In addition to Doran, will you be looking for other top lane candidates?

The coaching staff will be strengthened this week. Our coaching team will have a total of 3 people and operate with 5 main players.

Q35. Was Doran’s signing rushed because of Zeus’s contract meeting? Have you had any contact with it before?

Before player Zeus signed with HLE, he had no contact with player Doran.

Q36. Since the Cella incident, the second team has performed poorly. What do you think of this?

We recognize the importance of youth training and CL (second team) players, and we are taking steps to strengthen our development pipeline. As part of our efforts, we are expanding the T1 Esports Academy and awarding two Faker scholarships to outstanding players. These scholarships not only provide full tuition, but also provide scholarship recipients with the opportunity to grow with T1. Leader Becker and supervisor kkOma, as well as our T1 Esports Academy director, are leading this process in order to cultivate a new generation of talents for T1. We are committed to laying a solid foundation for the future of T1’s competitive teams.

Q37. Is it possible for Zeus to return to T1 in the future?

Zeus players will always be a part of T1. His contribution to T1 history and the name Zeus will always be remembered. Just like coach kkOma who returned after leaving in 2019 and won the 2024 world championship with us, T1 will always open its doors to those who have worked together with T1. Whether it was in the past or now, I think T1 is not just a team, but more like a home for the players.

From Wolf and Boxer to Untara, Bengi, and Tom, T1 has been doing their best for the legendary players in the team. Player Zeus is a player who worked together in the process of forming T1 products. If he chooses to return to the team, we will always welcome him.

Q38. Did you contact Zeus during the conference?

Captain Becker and COO An Xiongji have been in contact with Zeus.

Q39. Why does T1 always insist on the 1+1 contract? Is this because of Faker’s contract or the team’s overall policy?

The length of the contract depends on the preferences of the player and agent. Until now, single-year contracts have been more common, but two-year contracts have gradually increased in recent years. I think the reason players prefer short-term contracts is to observe market conditions.

Q40. If Zeus transferred to JDG last year, which top laner would T1 sign?

Zeus player.

Q41. During this re-signing process with Zeus, was there any misconduct or illegal behavior from Zeus or HLE?

This question cannot be answered because it is difficult to confirm what happened.

Q42. In the recent contract renewal, why did Gumayusi sign a one-year contract, while Keria and Oner signed a two-year contract?

Player Gumayusi wanted a one-year contract, and players Keria and Oner wanted a two-year contract. We signed the contracts according to the players’ wishes.

Q43. Will Roach temporarily serve as a coach before enlisting in the army?

Roach first has to perform social service. After your social service is over, you are welcome to return to T1 at any time.

In response to the T1 CEO’s Q&A, Zeus’ agency “The Play” also quickly issued a response. The response stated, “Currently, we understand that the content announced by T1 in the AMA has caused a lot of controversy. However, the factual content claimed by T1 Many parts are exaggerated or inconsistent with the facts. We will elaborate on the relevant contents through a statement in the near future, so we kindly ask everyone to refrain from indiscriminate criticism of Choi Woo-chi.”

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