Gaming News
T1 partners with Universal for Minions‑themed merch launch
Developing
Photo: insider-gaming.com (from the cited article) All clips and posts below are embedded from their original sources.
By the numbers: this timeline documents 2 events from Oct 13, 2026 to Oct 14, 2026, drawn from 2 sources.
“Universal making an exclusive exception to depict our players as Minions highlights the unprecedented global impact of T1 and our roster.”
via insider-gaming.com
Our take
The collaboration underscores T1's commercial dominance, leveraging their status as the most successful League of Legends team to secure a rare licensing exception from Universal. With T1 closing 2025 with nearly $60 million in revenue, this merch line extends their brand reach beyond esports into mainstream pop culture, specifically targeting fans of both the LCK roster and the Despicable Me franchise.
Background
The team is currently preparing for Worlds 2026, where they are expected to defend their title for a seventh Summoner’s Cup. The roster includes Lee 'Faker' Sang-hyeok, Choi 'Doran' Hyeon-jun, Mun 'Oner' Hyeon-jun, Kim 'Peyz' Su-hwan, and Ryu 'Keria' Min-seok.
T1 has expanded its business operations significantly, closing 2025 with nearly $60 million in revenue. Recent expansions include a new online T1 shop in Europe and the opening of its flagship Base Camp gaming cafe in Gangnam, Korea. The organization has previously collaborated with brands like Kakao Friends and Hot Stuff on co-branded goods.
The timeline
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T1 x Minions merchandise collection launches
The limited-edition T1 x Minions merchandise collection reportedly officially launched, featuring the T1 starting roster reimagined as Minions. The line reportedly includes a keyboard keycap set, desk mat, keychain set, passport case, single keychain, and a pajama set. Plush dolls of all five LCK players in Minion uniforms are reportedly also part of the collection, available through the official T1 shop and offline stores.[2]
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T1 CEO Joe Marsh commented on the collaboration
T1 CEO Joe Marsh reportedly stated that Universal making an exclusive exception to depict T1 players as Minions highlights the unprecedented global impact of the team and its roster. He reportedly expressed anticipation for fans worldwide to purchase the unique collection, according to insider-gaming.com.[1]
Our read of the evidence
Mostly unverified. The launch date and the CEO comment are each reported by a single outlet, with no primary source confirming either event. Both timeline points rely solely on secondary reports, and no opposing viewpoint or official record has been presented. Because the evidence rests only on these reports and lacks direct verification, the claim remains mostly unverified.
Our rating counts evidence, not opinions about anyone: events confirmed by a primary source (the person's own post, their official site, a court or government record) weigh most, then how many independent outlets report the story.
Frequently asked
When did the T1 x Minions collection launch?
The collection officially launched on October 13, 2026, according to hotspawn.com. It is available through the official T1 shop and offline stores.
Who is featured in the T1 x Minions merchandise?
The T1 starting roster is reimagined as Minions, including Lee 'Faker' Sang-hyeok, Choi 'Doran' Hyeon-jun, Mun 'Oner' Hyeon-jun, Kim 'Peyz' Su-hwan, and Ryu 'Keria' Min-seok, according to insider-gaming.com.
What items are included in the T1 x Minions line?
Plush dolls of the players in Minion uniforms are also included.
Why is this collaboration considered rare?
T1 CEO Joe Marsh stated that Universal made a rare exception to its licensing rules to allow the depiction of T1 players as Minions, according to insider-gaming.com.
Is the T1 x Minions collection still available?
As of October 14, 2026, per insider-gaming.com, the merchandise is available in T1’s online store. Some items, like the plush dolls, were not currently listed on the website at the time of reporting.
More related drama (4)
Sources (2)
Cite this timeline
This timeline compiles 2 dated events from 2 sources. If it helped your reporting, cite it:
GenZHype. “T1 partners with Universal for Minions‑themed merch launch.”
GenZHype, 15 October 2026,
https://genzhype.com/gaming/t1-x-universal-minions-collab-faker-s-yellow-makeover/.