Faker is the most popular League of Legends player ever and for a good reason. He won everything there is to win: 3 World Championships, 9 LCK titles, and other competitions too numerous to count.
All of these victories have secured the Korean mastermind a ton of money. But what exactly is his net worth? How much money has Faker accrued over the past 11 or so years? Let’s take a look.
How Much Did Faker Win from Tournaments?
Being the most successful League player of all time, other than being the most popular, also means he’s the highest-paid. By winning such high-level tournaments as the World Championship three times, Faker has received a hard-to-quantify amount from prize pools. According to Liquipedia, Faker sits at around 1.45 million US dollars in prize money.
To put it into perspective, the world-renowned ADC Doublelift has only earned around 300 thousand US dollars over the same period. Faker’s success is unparalleled in the esports world and completely dominant in League of Legends.
How Big Is Faker’s Salary?
Prize money is amazing, but in League of Legends, it is only a fraction of what a superstar like Faker earns. This isn’t Dota, where prize pools number in the dozens of millions, and one win means a lifetime of wealth. No, here, it’s more akin to massive sports such as basketball or soccer.
Faker is a superstar. He is the esports personality. His size alone warrants insane contracts and salaries. And naturally, T1 obliged. In 2021 and 2022, Faker earned over 7 Million US dollars in salaries. That’s at the level of some of the biggest athletes in the world.
Even so, Faker remains humble and has declined a myriad of offers from teams outside of Korea, giving him tens of millions of dollars per year. His unwavering loyalty to T1 probably has impacted how much favor he enjoys from the company, further increasing his potential wages.
Sponsorships and Business Deals
Faker’s team, T1 has been under South Korean sponsorship since its inception. Owned by the country’s Telecom, alongside the American Comcast, it is a huge esports conglomerate that can easily afford someone like Faker. Several years ago, Faker even became a partial owner of T1, further proving his love and appreciation of the team.
Faker is also sponsored by a plethora of big business names. Corporations such as BMW and Samsung are among the biggest that have sponsored the player. Most recently, Faker partnered up with Razer, one of the biggest tech companies in the world.
As the 3-Time League of Legends World Champion, there’s no name as awe-striking as ‘Faker’ in the world of esports. This is how he wins it his way: https://t.co/PDOZ92OqMi#WinItYourWay pic.twitter.com/xxjdpag7vD
— R Λ Z Ξ R (@Razer) July 5, 2022
While the exact figures of his net worth are unavailable, we can easily predict that it numbers in the tens of millions. Faker’s shares in T1 alone are highly valuable and would be enough to boost him up to millionaire status. However, there’s also the value of his sponsorship teams and assets and the fact that he invested 11 million US dollars into Mobalytics.
All of this combined is enough to give us a perspective on his immense wealth. And all we can say is that he well deserved it through his consistent and long-reigning performance in the competitive world of League of Legends.
FAQs
What was Faker’s early life like before becoming a professional gamer?
Faker, born Lee Sang-hyeok on May 7, 1996, in Seoul, South Korea, spent his early years under the care of his grandparents and father in the Gangseo District, Seoul. During his childhood, he displayed a fondness for puzzles and video games. He was known for his good grades in school and led a modest lifestyle, often wearing a plain white t-shirt and abstaining from habits like smoking. Faker attended Mapo High School but eventually dropped out to pursue his passion for gaming, joining SKT T1 K.
Has Faker engaged in any significant philanthropic activities or community outreach?
Faker has engaged in philanthropic efforts, notably donating all of his stream revenue for the entire month of October to the UN Foundation. This charity encourages donors to support the UN’s global causes. Faker also wore Unicef-branded clothing on his stream to raise awareness and offer publicity for the charity.
What are some of Faker’s notable achievements or records in the League of Legends community outside of tournament wins?
Faker’s achievements in League of Legends are remarkable. He has received numerous awards, including a World Championship MVP award, an MSI MVP award, two LCK season MVP awards, an LCK finals MVP award, and two LCK First-All Pro Team designations. He holds several records, such as being the first player to reach 1,000, 2,000, and 2,500 kills, the first to have played 700 games, and the first to have won 500 games in the LCK. Additionally, he has the most kills in World Championship matches and was the first player to surpass 100 World Championship wins. In 2023, he set the record for the most career assists in the history of the LCK and became the first person to win four World Championship titles.
How has Faker’s play style and strategy evolved over his career?
Initially known for his plays with assassins and burst mages, including an iconic Zed play and an undefeated streak with LeBlanc until 2015, Faker’s play style has evolved to a more controlled approach. His most-used champion has been Orianna, a control mage, followed by Azir and Ryze. Despite his proficiency with control mages, Faker has maintained a versatile champion pool, including high win rates with both assassin and supportive champions, showcasing the adaptability and breadth of his skillset.
What impact has Faker had on the esports industry and gaming culture globally?
Faker is regarded as one of the greatest League of Legends players ever, often compared to Michael Jordan in terms of his impact on esports. His popularity extends beyond gaming, with a massive online following across platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Twitter. Faker’s influence has contributed significantly to the legitimization and growth of esports, inspiring a shift in perception where gaming and esports skills are increasingly recognized and nurtured. His presence has played a crucial role in the development of esports, from grassroots events to major international tournaments, and has even influenced educational initiatives related to esports.
Conclusion
Faker is a household name in League of Legends. To no one’s surprise, he has a lot of money. While not all the figures are public record, estimates are easy to make, and Faker is a multimillionaire by all accounts. His performances and popularity have brought so many new players to League of Legends and inspired a plethora of new pros that, by all means, he deserved every penny. Always aspire for greatness, and you might just reach it, like Faker did.
