Is Faker the Richest Esports Player?
Based on extensive research into his career earnings and estimated net worth, Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok does not appear to be the single richest professional gamer overall. However, he does stand out as likely the highest-paid esports athlete within League of Legends based on his unparalleled success, longevity, and fame.
Faker‘s Career Highlights the Greatest LoL Player
Before analyzing the money, it‘s worth reflecting on just how legendary Faker‘s career has been. Debuting in 2013 for SK Telecom T1 (now T1 Entertainment & Sports), he quickly cemented himself as the best League of Legends player in the world. He revolutionized the mid lane with his skills on champions like LeBlanc, Zed, and Ryze.
Faker has since amassed records and accolades unmatched by any other LoL pro:
- 3 World Championship victories (2013, 2015, 2016) – the only player with 3 wins
- 2 MSI titles (2016, 2017)
- 10 LCK (Champions Korea) titles – most ever
- Over $6.4 million in career prize money – most of any LoL player
He has delivered consistently elite performance for over a decade, retaining his status as one of the world‘s best into his late 20s against much younger rising stars. His success has made him an iconic symbol of LoL esports and T1‘s most valuable athlete by far.
Highest Earning LoL Player by Far
According to aggregated data from Esportsearnings.com, Faker has earned over $6.4 million over his decade-long career entirely from tournament winnings and salaries.
For context, the next closest League of Legends player is Song "RooKie" Eui-jin with around $4.7 million in earnings.
In fact, Faker has won over three times as much prize money from tournaments as any other LoL pro. Here is a comparison of the top 5 earners in League of Legends tournaments worldwide:
| Player | Total Winnings | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Faker | $4,592,292 | South Korea |
| RooKie | $1,455,094 | China |
| Scout | $1,265,387 | China |
| bengi | $1,180,717 | South Korea |
| Bjergsen | $1,362402 | Denmark |
And this gap only grows when accounting for Faker‘s sizable salary and endorsements on top of tournament winnings.
Lucrative Salary and Sponsorships
As T1‘s franchise player, Faker signed a 3-year deal in late 2018 that reportedly pays him a minimum salary of $2.5 million per year. Industry insiders say this may have grown to over $3 million annually in his recent contract extension.
His elite status also lets him command seven-figure endorsement deals with global brands like:
- Samsung ($1 million per year)
- SK Telecom ($1.2 million per year)
- Razer ($600k per year)
- Nike (undisclosed)
Factoring in all known revenue streams, Faker‘s estimated career earnings to date likely exceed $10 million total. This cements him as the top earner in League of Legends history by a significant margin.
Estimated Net Worth of $15-25 Million
However, accumulated tournament winnings and salaries don‘t necessarily reflect a player‘s current net worth or wealth. Real estate, investments, equity, and other assets also substantially factor into total net worth.
As part of his long-term deals, Faker notably owns equity in T1 Entertainment & Sports, now valued at over $100 million as an elite esports organization. Though his exact stake amount is undisclosed, it is likely one of his most valuable assets.
Considering his diverse earnings, smart investments, and frugal lifestyle, most estimates place Faker‘s current net worth between $15-25 million.
This would likely make him the richest active League of Legends pro player. However, a few esports stars in other games likely surpass him in total wealth generated over their careers.
Top Earning Esports Players Worldwide
When it comes to the absolute highest earners in competitive gaming, Faker lands among the top but does not claim the #1 spot. According to aggregated earnings data, several other big names likely edge him out in terms of net worth.
Retired Dota 2 legendary captain Johan "N0tail" Sundstein tops the list with career earnings over $7.1 million. He also founded the elite esports org OG and likely has accumulated substantial wealth through ownership equity, endorsements, and investments.
Longtime streamer and personality Tyler "Ninja" Blevins built a massive fanbase over the years that has earned him an estimated $20 million net worth.
Here is a ranked comparison of the estimated net worth of Faker against a few other top esports earners worldwide:
| Player | Est. Net Worth |
|---|---|
| Ninja | $20 million |
| N0tail | $16 million |
| Faker | $15-25 million |
| Dendi | $11 million |
| PPd | $10 million |
So in summary, while Faker does not appear be the single richest esports athlete overall at present, he remains the undisputed greatest and highest paid League of Legends pro of all time.
Faker‘s Legacy as the LoL GOAT
In my opinion as an industry expert, Faker‘s legacy in LoL far surpasses anything that can be measured by earnings alone. The sheer length of his dominance and ability to sustain elite performance for over 10 years stands unmatched across all competitive games.
Faker has defined the pinnacle of skill at his position and raised the bar for every other aspiring pro. He has carried teams to championships almost single-handedly at times. His highlights reel of incredible outplays could fill hours.
Beyond just mechanical skill and game sense, Faker has also demonstrated the pinnacle of intangibles – leadership, resilience, longevity, consistency, and grace under pressure. His presence on T1 remains their key advantage even among talented rosters.
In closing, while a few other gamers may have generated more total wealth, no esports athlete has matched the shining brilliance and lasting greatness that Faker has achieved for LoL. He is the undisputed GOAT of his game, and his legacy is priceless beyond any specific dollar amounts.