Buzz
If LCK were to implement a salary cap, Faker would undoubtedly be one of the most impacted names.
Since League of Legends has become increasingly professional, the issue of player salaries has garnered significant attention from fans. Questions about the earnings of superstars like Uzi, or how much T1 has invested to retain Faker, remain unanswered.
Recently, the League of Legends community has been buzzing with news from the LCK regarding the unanimous agreement on salary cap regulations. In simple terms, LCK is expected to adopt salary limits similar to the LPL in the near future. Teams will need to find various ways to retain their superstars or recruit players from other teams without violating these regulations.
In fact, this regulation was mentioned earlier in 2022, with T1 being one of the teams strongly opposed to it. However, the current economic downturn, exacerbated by the pandemic, has changed the landscape. CEO of Gen.G has acknowledged the team's struggles in securing sponsorships, despite its reputation in the region.
However, if LCK imposes a salary cap, T1 and Faker would bear the brunt. It's widely known that Faker was offered a contract with a blank check by an LCS team. Rumors also suggest that LPL was willing to spend billions to recruit him. While Faker staying with T1 isn't solely about money, the team must also offer suitable treatment for its legendary player.
Furthermore, if LCK implements a 'salary cap' policy, teams will have to be concerned about retaining talent amidst competition from other regions. Historically, LCK has been renowned for its high competitiveness in player incentives, even for young talents, which has been very beneficial. If this factor is not guaranteed, the risk of 'talent drain' cannot be avoided, especially considering that securing a position in the starting lineup of teams competing in the LCK has never been easy.
Of course, LCK has not yet announced the exact date for the implementation of the new regulations. However, at present, it is likely that teams have already had to start considering new strategies for themselves in the future, after the recent passage of the law.
