First, it should be noted that all information regarding player income is merely for reference, as no team publicly discloses the figures they pay their players for various reasons.
All information about the salary of this player or that star is therefore considered “rumor mill”. In SofM’s case, based on insights from industry insiders like Teacher Ba, Do Mixi, or the “guy working at LPL” in recent articles we reported, we can narrow down the estimated salary of him at LPL to be over 2 billion VND/month, with a specific figure possibly exceeding 5 billion/month, equivalent to about 66 billion VND/year, or 20 million Yuan.
The “Predicted” Salary of SofM is Just an Ordinary Number in LPL
Of course, these figures are quite “staggering” in the eyes of Vietnamese gamers, but in reality, they are rather normal benchmarks for the esports industry in China – A fertile ground for top stars globally due to its enormous rewards.
Uzi – the highest-paid player in LPL during his prime, currently resides in a luxury apartment at Tomson Riviera – one of the most prestigious high-end apartment complexes in Shanghai.
The price of an apartment in this building can reach up to 8 million USD (about 45 million Yuan), and its rental prices are also incredibly high: ranging from 85,000 Yuan (278 million VND) to 200,000 Yuan (654 million VND) per month.
In images shared around early 2020, Uzi was reportedly renting an apartment in Tomson Riviera with a view straight over the Huangpu River – A beautifully located apartment, estimated to cost around 130,000 Yuan/month. Meanwhile, China’s per capita GDP in 2019 was reported at 19,560 USD, equivalent to about… 138,000 Yuan/year.
This means that just the rent Uzi pays each month is equivalent to the average income of a Chinese citizen for an entire year. Naturally, the income of RNG’s AD carry is many times greater than the aforementioned 130,000 Yuan.
Uzi’s example shows that the income numbers in the tens of millions of Yuan annually for players in the LPL are not “fabricated”. Xiaohu has also shared that Karsa’s salary at TOP Esports is many times greater than RNG’s payment capability, where the former Flash Wolves player is said to earn 10 million Yuan/year.
How Rich Can SofM Get?
SofM has been competing in the LPL for 4 years, and naturally, he is not someone who could receive a billion VND salary each month from the very beginning. The fame and wealth that SofM can achieve today are the results of a long journey to assert his position as a top jungler.
Now, let’s conduct a small test related to the information about SofM’s huge income recently shared by Chinese netizens. Let’s imagine with a salary of 66 billion/year, plus income from advertising and brand partnerships, minus taxes… the amount SofM receives could be no less than 50 billion VND/year.
If SofM were to finish his career in the LPL and return to Vietnam in the future, the assets he possesses could easily allow him to invest in a team in the VCS. For example, during a hot “drama” regarding player salaries in the VCS that occurred at the end of 2019 – early 2020, a top League of Legends team in Vietnam had their contract value leaked when it changed hands for 10 billion VND.
Of course, the aforementioned figure will skyrocket in the coming years due to the wave of investment and the development of Esports in Vietnam. In the most optimistic scenario, if the VCS makes its mark in the upcoming Worlds and increases its status, then the value of a top team in the tournament could fall around 30 billion VND in the next two years. This figure is nearly equal to… half of SofM’s current estimated income.
This means that just half a year of competing in the LPL would allow SofM enough money to acquire and own a prestigious team in the VCS in the future. Of course, the amount needed to maintain and develop that team will be much larger.
Returning to the milestone of 5.5 billion VND/month – SofM’s salary as predicted by Chinese netizens. This amount, combined with SofM’s outside income and minus taxes, is certainly sufficient for him to buy a luxury apartment in major city areas in Vietnam, specifically Hanoi.
Faker – the highest-earning League of Legends star globally has invested in real estate for several years and owns quite a few valuable assets right in the capital Seoul, South Korea. Will there be a similar scenario for SofM in the future? And if LCK has Chairman Lee, will League of Legends Vietnam also have a “Chairman Duy”?
Note: This article is just a fun prediction about SofM’s future, and the statistical figures are for reference only. In reality, considering SofM’s character, he might be more interested in opening a casual Cyber Games worth a few billion to create a gathering place for friends and indulge his passion for gaming if he retires in the future. The king of games only needs to live “simply” like that.
