Zeus Turns Down T1 Contract Offer in Last-Minute Dispute

According to a report by Naver News, T1 made significant efforts to retain star top laner Zeus during the recent off-season. The team presented multiple contract variations to keep him on board with the intention of maintaining their roster for the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, Zeus ultimately chose not to accept their proposals.

Zeus was a highly sought-after player during the offseason, as was every member of T1’s roster. With lucrative offers pouring in, it’s not surprising that each player was evaluating their options carefully.

The Reasons Behind Zeus’s Departure from T1

Reports indicate that Zeus’s exit from T1 stemmed from an inability to reach a consensus on his salary and contract length. The negotiations proved quite contentious, with Zeus being the last player to finalize his contract in a roster that saw Faker extending until 2025, while Keria, Oner, and Gumayusi signed shorter terms.

T1 initially proposed a 3+1 contract to Zeus, which translated to a four-year agreement that seemed less appealing compared to the two-year contracts offered to his teammates. This disparity in contract length contributed to Zeus’s dissatisfaction and his decision to part ways with the organization.

Zeus T1 with trophy — Zeus celebrating with a trophy.

Zeus was one of the standout players of the 2024 offseason, and this trophy may be a testament to his talents.

Despite T1’s attempt to negotiate several contracts with varying terms, Zeus ultimately declined the offers in pursuit of more lucrative opportunities elsewhere. Interestingly, this situation mirrors the previous offseason when he chose to remain with T1.

Discrepancies between statements from Zeus’s agent and T1 representatives have surfaced. According to Zeus’s agent, they set a firm deadline of 3 p.m. for T1 to accept the offer but waited until 3:40 p.m. for feedback. They noted that while the salary was somewhat similar, significant differences existed in contract duration.

This indicates that Zeus’s camp took a firm stance during negotiations, unwilling to compromise on either contract length or salary. On the other hand, T1 expressed their frustration by stating that they were still trying to negotiate past the deadline and were eager to continue discussions over the phone, but received a flat rejection from Zeus’s agent.

As a result of these late developments, Zeus has signed with another team, but which organization that is remains uncertain. Given the limited openings in the LCK, he is rumored to potentially join Hanwha Life Esports. Alternatively, there exists the possibility of him signing with a team in the LPL, although many teams in that league are currently facing financial challenges, which could affect their ability to recruit top talent.

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