CEO of T1 Responds to Controversy Surrounding T1 – Zeus – Gumayusi
Recently, T1 faced a defeat against Hanwha Life Esports, and it marked the first official appearance of T1’s new roster in a competitive match against “the enemy.” Zeus expressed disappointment during a livestream following the match. The primary reason for the controversy stems from the coaching staff’s decisions regarding the roster, particularly concerning player Gumayusi. Notably, right after the defeat on May 29 (Vietnam time), T1’s CEO, Joe Marsh, unexpectedly held a livestream and shared insights about the transfer of Zeus and the decision to “bring back” Gumayusi to the main roster, which has sparked significant debate recently.
In his comments, one notable detail that stood out and may be contentious is his remarks regarding Gumayusi and Zeus. Specifically, he stated, “Gumayusi is characterized as a ‘hyper-carry’ akin to Draven. However, when we have a hyper-carry at the top lane (referring to Zeus), the support needs to be more defensive. Therefore, when the top laner is a tank, the support role has to return to the old hyper-carry playstyle. This requires time because that style has been adjusted for many years.”
However, once again, this statement contrasts with prior declarations from T1’s side before the match. Instead of creating an opportunity for Gumayusi to reclaim his familiar hyper-carry role, the LCK Cup 2025 was seen as the ideal moment to elevate Gumayusi to the main roster. Clearly, no player can reclaim their role without the proper circumstances to do so, especially when it comes to ranking up.
Moreover, this situation inadvertently highlights that it was Zeus who pushed Gumayusi to change his playstyle. This could lead to further controversy, especially as T1 fans and Zeus’ fans have been vocally “at odds” since the roster was announced, particularly after the transfer that took place recently.
Another character unintentionally involved in this discussion is Doran. Doran’s playstyle remains a crucial support for the primary carries of the team (Ruler, Peyz, Viper). However, with the latest statements from T1’s CEO, he may become a “target,” especially when T1 loses. Since Gumayusi’s return, T1 has been focusing more on the top lane and it is clear that T1 intends to develop Doran into a different version of Zeus.
T1 Prepares for a New “Tsunami” Challenge
For T1’s players, a new “tsunami” challenge is approaching as they prepare for the crucial playoff stage. Only Faker, Oner, and Keria remain from the previous roster; the names Gumayusi and Doran are expected to be heavily scrutinized in the near future, especially if T1 faces off against Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) again.
