T1 Entertainment & Sports (T1) has signed an MOU (memorandum of understanding) with Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Corp. (HAWKS) to form a strategic alliance in means to collaborate in the esports industry. 

The two companies will work together to conduct player development training for League of Legends (LoL), develop joint marketing programs utilizing the respective esports teams, improve brand value through joint marketing, implement various cooperative programs for titles other than LoL and develop new business strategies utilizing the strategic alliance between the two companies.

“Our MOU with SoftBank HAWKS gaming is a great opportunity for us to expand into various areas into the esports industry. We are looking forward to everything that will become fruitful from this endeavor,” said T1’s COO John Kim. 

“We are very pleased to announce our alliance with T1, known as the three-time winner of the LoL World Championship. The organization is also home to ‘Faker’ who is one of the best players in LoL and loved by fans around the world. We hope to learn the expertise in team management and player development to create a world-class esports team,” explained SoftBank HAWKS COO Hiroaki Ota. 

ABOUT FUKUOKA SOFTBANK HAWKS GAMING

HAWKS have established a multi-gaming team, "Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Gaming," and are currently active in various e-sports professional leagues with the aim of further boosting esports and becoming the "world's No. 1 entertainment company" beyond the framework of a professional baseball team.

『League of Legends Japan League" Results (Japan's official league in LOL)

・2020 Season: Spring Split 8th place (4 wins, 10 losses)

Summer Split: 6th place (7 wins, 7 losses)

・2021 Season: Spring Split: 6th place in (4 wins, 10 losses)

ABOUT T1 ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

T1 Entertainment & Sports is a global esports joint venture that owns and operates the ultra-successful T1 League of Legends (LoL) Champions Korea (LCK) team, along with teams in competitive gaming segments that include Fortnite, Dota 2, PUBG, Super Smash Bros., Hearthstone and Apex Legends.  The T1 LoL LCK team, previously known as SK Telecom T1, has won three LoL World Championships (2013, 2015, 2016).  T1 unites esports enthusiasts around the world through its gaming culture and lifestyle, content creation, entertainment and merchandise.  SK Telecom and Comcast Spectacor launched T1 in October 2019 and have global operations based in Seoul, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. For more information on T1, please visit T1.gg.