T1 Faces Backlash Over Roster Decision as Gumayusi Returns
T1 is facing intense criticism ahead of the 2025 LCK season after CEO Joe Marsh overruled the coaching staff’s decision to start rookie Sin “Smash” Geum-jae over Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyung.
The move has sparked outrage among fans, who feel Smash’s hard-earned opportunity was unfairly taken away.
Marsh responded to the backlash, stating that Smash will still participate in scrims, but this has done little to ease concerns.
Fans argue that esports thrives on competition, and Gumayusi himself once replaced a veteran in a similar manner.
Some have compared this to when Faker was benched for Clozer, emphasizing that roster changes are a normal part of esports.
Despite the controversy, T1 is set to debut its new lineup on April 4 against DRX in the LCK 2025 Split 1. The match will be streamed live on LCK’s YouTube and Twitch channels.
