South Korean esports organization T1 announced an official merchandise collaboration with the Minions from the Despicable Me franchise, turning League of Legends superstars such as Lee 'Faker' Sang-hyeok into the iconic yellow creatures. The limited-edition collection arrives as the squad prepares to compete at Worlds 2026, aiming to claim a historic seventh Summoner's Cup.
The deal was forged alongside Universal Products & Experiences, a division that made a rare exception to its traditional licensing regulations to allow the crossover to happen, according to the club. Reimagining professional competitive gaming athletes as animated characters required an unusual concession within the entertainment giant's strict intellectual property guidelines.
Collection items and pricing
The themed product line is available on the team's official web store and features various everyday lifestyle goods and PC desk accessories. Key items include a custom keyboard keycap set priced at ₩69,000 or $50, alongside an official desk mat listed at ₩35,000 or $25. Fans can also pick up a keychain set for ₩42,500 or $32, a passport case for ₩16,000 or $12, and individual keychains for ₩8,500 or $6.
Beyond those accessories, the collection features dedicated plush dolls representing all five starting members of the LCK roster. Choi 'Doran' Hyeon-jun, Mun 'Oner' Hyeon-jun, Faker, Kim 'Peyz' Su-hwan, and Ryu 'Keria' Min-seok have each been designed in Minion form wearing classic overalls, even though these plush figures were not immediately cataloged on the initial storefront listing.
T1 CEO Joe Marsh praised the team's worldwide reach as the driving factor behind closing the landmark collaboration. According to the executive, Universal granting an exclusive licensing exception to depict the players as Minions highlights the unprecedented global cultural footprint of the organization. Marsh stated that the team cannot wait for supporters across the globe to get their hands on the unique memorabilia.
T1 business growth and global footprint
This crossover with animated cinema arrives amid massive competitive dominance for the South Korean team. Having secured a record-breaking sixth global championship and their third consecutive international crown last year, the lineup stands as an undeniable favorite entering Worlds 2026. That unmatched competitive consistency has steadily reinforced their international commercial appeal.
Over the past year, the organization generated nearly $60 million in revenue while continuously broadening its retail presence. Key business milestones include the launch of an online store tailored specifically for European fans and the grand opening of their flagship Base Camp gaming cafe located in Gangnam, Seoul. By teaming up with the Despicable Me universe, the Korean powerhouse proves once more its ability to transcend competitive arenas and connect esports with mainstream pop culture.