T1 Fans Demand CEO Resignation Amid Ongoing Protests

As the tension between fans and management escalates, the T1 League of Legends team finds itself at the center of a major controversy. Since March 2025, fans have been protesting against the management, culminating in a planned truck demonstration set for April 10, 2025, coinciding with the 1000th game of the legendary player Faker, whose real name is Lee Sang-hyeok.

The T1 fan alliance is mobilizing nine trucks to demonstrate in front of the T1 headquarters located in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The fans are demanding the resignation of CEO Joe Marsh, citing that the core issues plaguing the team stem from his overreach and the unfair management practices of the front office, rather than simply poor performance on the field.

The controversy began during the LCK Cup in January 2025, where T1 made the surprising decision to start Smash, a rookie player, instead of the established star Gumayusi, whose real name is Lee Min-hyung. This decision sparked outrage among Gumayusi's fans, leading to a series of protests and negative comments directed at Smash.

As T1 struggled to meet expectations in the regular season, the conflict between the two fan bases intensified. In an effort to quell the unrest, T1’s head coach Jung Hoi-yoon announced that the main player lineup would be revealed ahead of the regular season. However, shortly thereafter, CEO Joe Marsh took it upon himself to announce that Gumayusi would be starting, stating, "I had deep discussions with the coaching staff and requested Gumayusi be included in the regular season lineup. He has a strong loyalty to T1, and this is a reward for that loyalty." This statement, however, did not sit well with many fans, who perceived it as inappropriate interference by the CEO.

Following Marsh's announcement, protests erupted from fans across the board, with slogans such as "CEO Joe Marsh must resign immediately" and "We condemn the management's interference that undermines sportsmanship" displayed on trucks and electronic billboards around major T1 facilities in Seoul. The fans have also targeted SK Square, the major shareholder of T1, demanding accountability and transparency.

On March 27, 2025, a demonstration took place outside the SK Square office in Jung-gu, Seoul, where fans expressed their discontent. However, a representative from SK Square stated, "We have no comments on this matter but are committed to finding various ways to support T1’s global growth." This response did little to quell the anger of the fans, who felt ignored by the organization.

As the situation continued to deteriorate, T1 played against their traditional rival Gen.G on April 6, 2025, suffering a 2-1 defeat. This loss reignited the flames of discontent among fans, especially since Gumayusi's performance in this match was notably poor compared to Smash’s earlier success in the LCK Cup, where he had received the Player of the Match award. Fans were quick to point out the stark contrast in performance, fueling accusations of favoritism towards Gumayusi.

With the highly anticipated match against KT, another traditional rival, set for April 10, and Faker's milestone game looming, fans are demanding immediate action to resolve the ongoing issues. They fear that the internal strife could overshadow what should be a celebratory occasion for the team and its supporters. The fans have made it clear that they want to see fair competition and transparency in player selections, viewing the current situation as a structural problem that undermines the integrity and trust of the esports organization.

In a statement reflecting the sentiments of the fans, one protester declared, "T1 fans want skilled players and fair competition." This sentiment echoes throughout the community, as many fans believe that the current management practices are detrimental to the team's success and reputation.

The upcoming demonstration on April 10 is expected to draw significant attention, not only because of the stakes of the match but also due to the historical significance of Faker’s 1000th game. The fans are urging T1 management to address their concerns promptly to avoid further escalation of the situation.

As the esports landscape continues to evolve, the T1 organization finds itself at a critical juncture. The outcome of the upcoming match against KT and the response from management could very well dictate the future of the team and its relationship with its passionate fan base. With emotions running high and the stakes even higher, all eyes will be on T1 as they navigate this tumultuous period.