League of Legends pro gamer Lee 'Faker' Sang-hyeok (T1) has been named to the inaugural 'TIME100 Sports' list, a new ranking by the U.S. weekly magazine TIME.

Lee's agency, FANABLE, announced on the 9th that he was included in 'The 100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026.' The agency emphasized the significance of the selection, stating, "This recognition reflects not only Lee's personal achievements but also the status of esports as it redefines modern sports and expands its influence on the global stage."

TIME stated that this is the first 'TIME100 Sports' list, which identifies 100 individuals leading the global sports industry. Four-time NBA champion LeBron James graced the cover and was featured in an in-depth interview.

TIME CEO Jessica Sibley explained that the list highlights individuals who not only excel in their respective fields but also shape culture, expand opportunities, and influence the world beyond competition. Regarding cover star LeBron James, TIME editors described him as the 'athlete of the century,' noting that he has redefined what it means to be a professional athlete both on and off the court.

In its profile of Lee, TIME noted that he is widely considered the greatest esports player of all time. The magazine highlighted his record-breaking six LoL World Championship titles with the Korean team T1, including victories in the last three consecutive tournaments. It also shared anecdotes about the introverted boy in Seoul who enjoyed Rubik's cubes before setting out to conquer the gaming world, his induction as the first member of the LoL Hall of Legends, and the scenes of fans cheering him on with signs reading 'Faker Is Life' and 'Faker Is Love.'

TIME contextualized Lee's status alongside the growth of the esports industry. The magazine noted that esports, which began with a 1972 tournament at Stanford University (where the prize was a subscription to a music magazine), has evolved into an industry projected to reach $7.46 billion by 2030, according to market research firm Grand View Research.

The article also mentioned that Lee is a co-owner with equity in T1, that T1 has sponsorship deals with brands like Nike, Red Bull, and Mercedes-Benz, that Lee received a luxury sedan as a gift from T1 and BMW on his 25th birthday, and that he owns a nine-story commercial building in Seoul known as 'Faker Tower.'

For clarification, Lee is not currently a co-owner with equity in T1. It has been confirmed that he holds stock options to acquire a stake in T1 but has not yet exercised them. Therefore, TIME's description of Lee as a co-owner appears to be a factual error.

The significance of this selection lies in it being the 'first' of its kind. As TIME expanded its 'TIME100' franchise—which has run since 1999—into the sports domain, Lee was included among the inaugural 100. He stands alongside iconic figures of traditional sports like LeBron James, effectively serving as the singular face representing esports.

This is a symbolic moment confirming that esports is no longer a subculture hidden in the shadows of mainstream culture, but a pillar of mainstream sports consumed by the world in real time. At the same time, it clearly marks the position that a player produced by Korean esports holds within the landscape of global sports influence.