TL;DR
- Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok is considered the very best League of Legends participant of all time and lately turned the primary to report 700 profession victories.
- Faker’s internet price is believed to be round $10 million.
- Faker’s wage with T1 is roughly $6 million per yr, and he holds inventory choices that give him a 6% possession stake within the firm.
- Regardless of his immense wealth, Faker lives a famously frugal life-style and donates some huge cash to charitable causes.
- He signed a brand new four-year contract with T1 in July 2025, which can maintain him within the organisation till he’s 33 years outdated.
- Sang-hyeok owns Faker Tower, situated close to his childhood residence, and rents it out to companies.
- Faker has made practically $2 million in prize pool earnings since 2013, together with $106,000 within the first 9 months of 2025.
For those who’ve ever puzzled whether or not esports might be a well-paid job, let’s see how a lot Faker makes in 2025.
The favored South Korean skilled League of Legends participant and streamer has established himself as one of many greatest names in esports.
In our evaluation of Faker’s internet price in 2025, we study his varied income streams, charity work, prize pool earnings, and actual property investments.
We additionally delve into the childhood of “The Unkillable Demon King,” who’s broadly considered the very best to have ever performed League of Legends.
Who’s Faker?
He has been with T1 (previously SK Telecom T1) since becoming a member of as a mid-laner in 2013, signing a three-year contract in 2020 that made him a part-owner of the organisation.
In July 2025, he signed a brand new four-year contract with T1 that can maintain him there till 2029, at which level he’ll be 33 years outdated. The announcement was made in a glitzy video that has garnered 1,322,466 views and 79,000 likes on YouTube to this point.
The re-signing is comprehensible provided that Faker is considered the very best League of Legends participant on the earth and has been for over a decade.
He’s established himself because the so-called “Unkillable Demon King” for his world-class performances as a mid-laner and was inducted into the Corridor of Legends in Seoul in June 2024.
In August 2025, he achieved one other milestone by turning into the primary participant in League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) historical past to report over 700 profession victories.
As of September 2025, he has 17 trophies, together with 5 World Championship wins and 10 League of Legends Champions Korea outcomes.
Faker profile abstract
| Full identify | Lee Sang-hyeok (이상혁) |
|---|---|
| In-game identify | Faker |
| Date of Start | Could 7, 1996 (Age 29 in September 2025) |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Staff | T1 (previously SK Telecom T1) |
| Position | Mid-laner |
| Years lively | 2013–current |
| Trophies received | 17 (5× World Champion, 10× LCK titles) |
| Internet price (2025) | Estimated $10 million |
| Wage | ~$6 million/yr from T1 |
| Fairness in T1 | 6% (price between $13.2 million and $21.5 million) |
| Often called | “The Unkillable Demon King” |
| Corridor of Legends | Inducted June 2024, Seoul |
What’s Faker’s internet price in 2025?
Faker’s complete internet price is comprised of his prize winnings, sponsorships, salaries, and different investments. Let’s check out every in flip.
Event winnings
In line with Esports Earnings, Faker’s earnings, as of September 2025, presently stand at $1,922,084 from 74 tournaments since 2013. It consists of winnings from 5 LoL World Championships, in addition to prize pots from different top-level occasions world wide.
His close to $2 million complete earnings make him essentially the most profitable League of Legends participant of all time and solely considered one of two individuals to make greater than $1 million.
Park Jae Hyuk, referred to as ‘Ruler’, occupies second spot on the record with $1.035 million, with Lee Ho Seong (Duke) in third place with $959,000, in keeping with Esports Earnings
Faker’s most profitable victory got here on the LoL 2016 World Championship, the place he walked away with $338,000. This helped make 2016 his most profitable yr with complete earnings of $418,365, though he has received greater than $100,000 in eight separate years since 2013.
As of late September, Faker had received $106,000 from two competitions in 2015, though this determine might improve by the top of December.
With that mentioned, Faker’s internet price far exceeds simply his League of Legends event winnings. It’s believed that Lee Sang-hyeok is presently price $10 million, as reported by ClutchPoints.
That makes Faker one of many richest Esports gamers on the earth, with T1 being considered probably the greatest League of Legends groups on the planet.
Nonetheless, different sources recommend this determine is conservative and that his precise internet price might be nearer to $25 million.
Wage with T1
A good portion of Faker’s longer-term wealth comes from the wage he earns with the T1 staff, which he has been part of since 2013.
The brand new four-year contract he signed with the organisation again in July 2025 secures him within the line-up till at the very least 2029.
In a subsequent interview, Faker reaffirmed that he had no intention of retiring from skilled League of Legends within the close to future.
Faker’s wage with T1 is considered round $6 million, whereas he’s additionally understood to have been granted a inventory choice. As soon as that is exercised, and there’s been no official affirmation that this has taken place, he’ll grow to be a shareholder with a holding of slightly below 6%.
So, how a lot might this be price? Properly, TI was valued by Forbes in 2022 at round $208 million, however more moderen studies recommend a determine of $358 million. If this proves to be the case, then Faker’s stake might be price roughly $21.5 million, which might be a pleasant enhance to the famous person’s total wealth.
Faker’s different principal sources of revenue
Though Faker’s wage and prize winnings account for a considerable proportion of his total wealth, he has additionally efficiently diversified his revenue.
Whereas Lee Sang-hyeok has received practically $2 million taking part in competitively since 2013, his wealth has been bolstered by his earnings on Twitch and YouTube.
In line with Faker’s official Twitch channel, the League of Legends champion has 3.9 million followers. Nonetheless, he hasn’t streamed on that platform for 4 years.
It was reported that T1 signed a streaming partnership with AfreecaTV, a South Korean dwell streaming platform, again in the summertime of 2022. Afreeca rebranded to SOOP in 2024.
The T1 Faker YouTube channel, which he established in February 2017, presently has 2.05 million followers and options over 1,400 movies.
Though official figures aren’t obtainable, viewers would have possible donated by way of the devoted buttons on streaming pages, in addition to by way of Tremendous Chats on YouTube.
On account of his phenomenal success over time, model offers and sponsorships signed have made up a good portion of Faker’s revenue.
Faker’s enterprise ventures & investments
By means of T1, Faker has distinguished model offers represented by CAA Sports activities, together with sponsorships with Razer, Nike, and Pink Bull.
Faker’s revenue is boosted by investments in actual property, particularly the Faker Tower, situated in his hometown of Seoul, within the Gangseo District. This constructing, accomplished in 1997, has two underground flooring and 9 above-ground ranges. It’s believed to have price roughly $8.3 million in 2020, and it reportedly earns a gentle revenue.
Whereas Faker’s firm is believed to be based mostly on the highest flooring, the remainder of the constructing is leased to different corporations; nonetheless, the income generated by these leases stays unknown.


Faker’s formative years & background
Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok was born within the Gangseo District of Seoul, South Korea, on Could 7, 1996. He was raised by his grandparents and his father, Lee Kyung-joon. Faker has described his household as not being very properly off financially.
He started taking part in League of Legends when it arrived in South Korea again in 2011 (regardless of the title launching in 2009 in North America and Europe), and rapidly turned enamored with the discharge.
Earlier than taking part in League of Legends, he was a giant fan of preventing video games resembling Tekken and King of Fighters earlier than entering into PC gaming with MapleStory and Warcraft 3.
Whereas attending Mapo Excessive College, he began taking LoL extra severely, even asking his father if he might drop out and pursue esports full-time, which his father absolutely supported.
He was shortly scouted by T1 in 2013 and has been a significant participant in Riot Video games’ widespread MOBA.
Faker’s life-style & spending habits
Regardless of Faker’s wage and substantial internet price, the League of Legends champion leads a notoriously frugal and humble life-style as an alternative of splashing his wealth unnecessarily. That is possible because of his poor upbringing and the way his father raised him.
Regardless of raking in round $6 million from his contract wage at T1 alone, Sang-hyeok is believed to solely spend round $170 a month (or roughly $2,040 a yr) on himself, due partly to T1 offering each meals and board for him.
Faker has a famously packed 24-hour schedule which allocates his free time, follow, sleeping, consuming, and Scrims, with half the time spent between the Scrims and taking part in on the LoL Solo Queue.
When not taking part in League, it’s believed he spends most of his time watching VODs, with equal allocation to watching his personal replays, checking regional metas, and utilizing stats websites.
He goals to sleep solely six hours at a time, eliminating time wasted on his telephone to enhance sleep high quality, with the majority of his waking life spent on League.
Faker’s well being issues
Faker might have loved numerous skilled success, however that doesn’t imply it’s been stress-free. The truth is, he has endured some public well being battles.
It was revealed in 2023 that he was scuffling with hand and wrist issues that had affected his efficiency. Whereas he subsequently acquired remedy for the harm, latest studies have prompt that he has been exploring methods to adapt as a part of his restoration.
Individually, he acknowledged in a separate interview that there had been instances throughout his profession when he’d needed to sacrifice his well being in tournaments.
He additionally mirrored on his time on the prime and hoped that his legacy could be considered one of giving one thing constructive to the followers for them to recollect.
Faker’s philanthropy & charitable donations
Whereas dwelling so humbly and making sensible enterprise investments is what Faker is thought for, he’s equally well-regarded for his charitable donations and philanthropy.
- Lee Sang-hyeok has a powerful monitor report of donating to the nonprofit charity group Neighborhood Chest of Korea, with a latest donation of round $23,176.
- In June 2025, he made a donation to the event fund of the Seoul Regional Trauma Heart. He was offered with a plaque of appreciation for his efforts.
- Again in April 2025, Faker made a $35,250 donation to the Hope Bridge Nationwide Catastrophe Aid Affiliation. It follows a string of charitable donations to COVID-19 charities all through the pandemic.
- Taker and the TI organisation has additionally donated 63.74m (~£37,500) to Make-A-Want Korea by way of proceeds from its particular version WishMaker jersey gross sales
How Faker’s internet price compares to different Esports stars
Faker’s internet price of $10 million makes him one of many richest esports stars on the earth. Nonetheless, he’s not the highest-paid within the aggressive scene.
His estimated profession earnings of round $1.9 million are spectacular, making him essentially the most financially profitable League of Legends participant. Nonetheless, he’s removed from the highest esports earners. The truth is, Esports Earnings presently ranks him seventieth when it comes to prize swimming pools.
After all, it’s price remembering that the aggressive scene for League of Legends (and its respective prize swimming pools) could be smaller than that of Honor of Kings, CS2, Fortnite, and Dota 2.
The highest 5 all-time earners from competitions are:
- Johan “N0tail” Sundstein at $7.18 million
- Jesse “JerAx” Vainikka at $6.48 million
- Yaroslav “Miposhka” Naidenov at $6.22 million
- Anathan “Ana” Pham at $6.02 million
- Sébastien “Ceb” Debs at $5.94 million
Faker’s prize winnings are solely a small a part of what has made him so wealthy and profitable over time, together with model offers, actual property investments, and frugal dwelling.
Conclusion
Faker’s internet price is estimated to be $10 million, which takes under consideration his yearly wage from T1, his actual property ventures with Faker Tower, sponsorships with the likes of Razer and Secretlab, and his half possession in T1.
Lee Sang-hyeok is likely one of the richest and most well-known esports gamers on the earth, transcending the realm of League of Legends, which is spectacular given the sport is now approaching 20 years outdated.
It’s unknown how lengthy the South Korean champion will proceed to play League, but it surely’s mentioned he’ll take an operational function in T1 and proceed his landlord duties and charitable efforts sooner or later.
For extra on Riot Video games’ premier MOBA, we advocate testing Esports Insider’s League of Legends protection. It covers not simply Faker and T1 but in addition different aggressive groups, the gameplay modifications, and esports occasions.
FAQs
How a lot does Faker make a yr?
It’s believed that Faker’s wage from T1 is round $6 million a yr, which doesn’t embody his stake within the group.
When did Faker begin taking part in League?
Faker began taking part in League of Legends in 2011 in highschool when the sport arrived in South Korea. He was scouted by T1 in 2013 and dropped out of schooling along with his father’s blessing.
What number of hours does Faker have in League?
League of Legends doesn’t have a built-in hours tracker, so actual figures aren’t obtainable. Nonetheless, it’s believed that Faker has tens of hundreds of hours within the recreation, having performed it (nearly) day by day since 2011, with six hours of staff follow and eight hours of solo follow day by day, and simply round six hours devoted to sleep.
Faker, often known as Lee Sang-hyeok, is a South Korean League of Legends participant.
Faker is presently 29 years outdated, having been born in Could 1996.
What’s Faker’s actual identify?
Faker’s actual identify is Lee Sang-hyeok.
Faker is from the Gangseo District of Seoul, South Korea. It has a inhabitants of 563,058 and can be residence to Faker Tower.
What staff does Faker play for?
Faker performs for T1, previously referred to as SK Telecom T1, through which he now holds a 6% share within the firm.
References
- ONE. STILL. FOREVER. (YouTube)
- Faker Reaches 700 Wins in LCK (Inven International)
- Lee “Faker” Sang Hyeok – League of Legends Participant (Esports Earnings)
- League of Legends (Esports Earnings)
- Faker’s internet price in 2025 (Clutch Factors)
- How A lot Is Faker Price? Faker’s Internet Price in 2025 (Unranked Smurfs)
- Faker extends contract with T1 by way of 2029 and confirms no plans to retire from League of Legends (Tribune)
- T1 grants Faker a inventory choice (Inven International)
- T1 Enters Possession Talks as Comcast Eyes Majority Stake (KbiZoom)
- Faker on Twitch (Twitch)
- T1’s League of Legends staff indicators streaming partnership with AfreecaTV (Inven International)
- AfricaTV Modifications Platform Identify to SOOP After 18 Years (Asia Enterprise Every day)
- T1 Faker (YouTube)
- ‘Emperor of LoL’ Faker, ‘ranked 1st’ in funding as properly… Proprietor of a constructing price 11.3 billion received in Hwagok-dong (Every day Weby)
- Esports Legend, Faker, Owns A Tower And Is Named After Him (IGN)
- Do you know? Faker owns a constructing in Seoul and it’s known as Faker Tower (One Esports)
- Lifetime of a League Professional: SKT T1 Faker (Mobalytics)
- T1 Faker: “My arm situation isn’t that good.” (InvenGlobal)
- Faker on his children taking part in League of Legends, profession sacrifices, and his well being (YouTube)
- League of Legends star Faker makes year-end donation to charity (The Korea Instances)
- Faker Donates to Seoul Trauma Heart Growth Fund (Holangi)
- The Largest Esports Star Simply Made a 50 Million Gained Donation to Charity (Insider Gaming)
- Participant Rankings (Esports Earnings)
- Gangseo Data (Gangseo)


