T1 and Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Gaming Agree to Team Up

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Co., Ltd. and SK Telecom CS T1 Co., Ltd signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in the “esports business” through the South Korean esports organization T1 and the Japanese esports organization Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Gaming.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

According to the press release, the organizations will work together to implement the League of Legends player development and training program. They will also work together to add “brand value” through joint marketing efforts and joint business strategies. The deal could go beyond League of Legends, although both companies are still discussing the depth and breadth of this alliance.

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Gaming is the esports arm of the Japanese professional baseball team Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, which plays in the Japanese professional baseball league. The team's gaming division competes in the League of Legends Japan League. In turn, T1 participates in the League of Legends Korea Championship.